E 

6OI 
C8 


UC-NRLF 


Ifi    DTD 


LETTERS  FROM  THE  FRONT 


with  Compliments  of 


San    Francisco, 


"Haecjuvabit  olirn  rneminisse." 


LETTERS  FROM  THE  FRONT 


FROM  OCTOBEK,  1861,  TO  SEPTEMBER,  1864, 


CYRUS  MORTON  CUTLER, 

Of  Lexington,   Middlesex   Co.,  Mass.,  while  a  member  of  Co.  F   22ud 

Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  Regiment  and  Battery  C 

1st    New  York   (Light)    Artillery  Regiment. 


" Haec  juvabit  olim  nieminisse." 


HHHESE  letters  are  arranged  and  published — Firstly,  out 
-I  of  my  love  and  respect  for  the  memory  of  my  dear  brother, 
who  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  camps,  campaigns  and  bat 
tles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  during  1801-2-3-4,  on 
whose  record  of  service  no  higher  enconium  need  be  passed 
than  that  granted  by  all  who  served  with  him — "a  good 
soldier  and  a  faithful  comrade"  and  to  whose  modesty  and 
lack  of  self-interest  alone,  is  due  that  absence  of  preferment 
and  promotion,  which  though  proffered,  was  never  sought  or 
accepted.  Secondly,  from  a  like  love  and  respect  for  the 
memory  of  our  father,  whose  national  service  during  the  War 
of  1812,  and  later,  in  the  Volunteer  Militia  of  his  State,  leads 
me  to  believe  that  the  martial  spirit — so  rife  in  our  grandfa 
ther,  Thomas  Cutler,  of  "Lexington  Minute  Men"  and  April 
19,  1775  fame,  as  well  as  among  our  remote  ancestors  of 
Colonial  days— slumbered  during  peace,  only  to  arouse  with 
renewed  vigor,  when  arms  were  to  be  borne  in  the  good 
cause;  and,  Finally,  for  my  two  sons,  whom  I  trust,  these 
"simple  annals"  of  a  "good  soldier"  will  teach,  how  much 
is  due  to  those  who  served  and  fought  "that  the  Republic 
might  live." 

"Their  swords  are  rust — their  bones  are  oust 
Their  souls  are  with  the  saints,  we  trust." 

A.    D.   CUTLEK. 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL.,  Oct.,  1892. 


The  author  of  these  letters,  Cyrus  Morton  Cutler,  was 
born  January  18,  1841,  on  the  homestead  of  his  father  and 
ancestors,  who  had  occupied  it  since  1635,  in  Lexington, 
Massachusetts,  being  the  eighth  of  eleven  children  (five  sons 
and  six  daughters)  of  Leonard  and  Maria  (Cutter)  Cutler. 
He  was  a  Massachusetts  farmer's  son,  and  as  such,  received 
the  usual  education  and  training,  consistent  with  and  com 
mon  to  his  day  and  time.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  F  (Union 
Guard)  22nd  Mass.  Vol.  Infantry,  late  in  September,  1861, 
in  company  with  three  other  of  Lexington's  sons,  all  of 
whom  returned  to  their  native  town,  at  the  expiration  of 
their  term  of  service,  save  one,  who  died  of  wounds  received 
at  Malvern  Hill,  Va. 

He  participated  in  all  its  experiences  (save  a  short  period 
in  hospital  during  the  Peninsula  Campaign,  1862)  untilJune, 

1863,  at  which  date  he  responded  to  a  call  for  volunteers 
from  the  infantry  to  fill  the  depleted  ranks  of  the  light  bat 
teries  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps,  being  detailed  to  Battery  C, 
First  New  York  (Light)  Artillery  and  serving  with  it  as  a 
private  and  non-commissioned  officer  until  his  muster  out  at 
expiration  of  the  original  22nd's  term  of  service  in  October, 

1864.  He  was  singularly  fortunate  in  his  exemption  from 
disease  and  wounds,  although  constantly  on  duty,  and  is 
recorded  as  being  exceptionally  reliable  as  to  "good  order 
and  condition"  and  "present  for  duty." 

Although  not  a  frequent  correspondent,  his  letters  were 
graphic  and  full  of  descriptive  strength,  while  his  continued 
interest  in  family,  friends  and  home  matters  were  so  promi 
nent  as  to  make  him  dearer  than  ever,  and  his  safe  return 
prayed  for.  Only  those  who  lived  during  those  stirring  days 
can  appreciate  the  hopes,  fears  and  longings  that  followed 
our  soldiers,  and  the  joyous  welcome  accorded  the  briefest 
message  from  "the  front;"  and  when  the  future  historian 
shall  write  the  true  history  of  those  days,  he  will  gather  no 
small  measure  of  fact  and  inspiration  from  such  letters  from 
the  "rank  and  file." 

After  his  return  to  Massachusetts  in  1864,  his  naturally 
adventurous  spirit  could  not  content  itself  with  the  peaceful 
home  conditions,  and  led  him  to  more  stirring  scenes. 
Firstly,  to  the  newly  discovered  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania, 


464151 


ami  later  to  the  broad  plains  of  Kansas  then  being  developed 
by  the  building  of  the  overland  railroads,  with  the  construc 
tion  of  which  and  various  cattle  interests,  he  was  connected 
until  his  death,  probably  about  1870,  although  the  exact 
date  is  unknown  in  spite  of  many  continued  efforts  to 
ascertain  the  facts. 

Like  many  of  his  old  comrades,  he  is  debarred  from  the 
numerous  happy  affiliations  of  our  late  days,  where  the 
"Veterans  of  the  Grand  Army"  are  feted  and  honored,  but 
our  recollections  of  his  youth  are  no  less  dear,  or  his  record 
in  his  country's  service  no  less  bright,  that  he  does  not  par 
ticipate  in  those  public  recognitions  of  faithful  service,  that 
a  grateful  nation  now  happily  bestows  on  his  surviving  com 
rades. 

"The  muffled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat  the  soldier's  last  tattoo; 
"No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet  the  brave  and  fallen  few. 
"On  fame's  eternal  camping  ground  their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
"And  Glory  guards,  with  solemn  round,  the  bivouac  of  the  dead." 


The  22nd  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infantry  Kegiment 
was  organized  under  the  patronage  of  its  first  colonel,  Henry 
Wilson,  then  U.  S.  Senator,  and  later  on,  Vice-President  of 
the  United  States,  at  Lynnfield,  Massachusetts,  and  "mus 
tered  in"  U.  S.  service  "for  three  years  or  the  war,"  October 
8th,  1861,  being  ordered  to  Washington  immediately  there 
after  and  incorporated  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  as 
part  of  the  1st  Brigade,  1st  Division,  5th  Army  Corps.  It 
followed  the  fortunes  of  that  Army  for  three  and  a  half  years, 
the  original  members  being  "mustered  out"  October  17th, 
1864,  and  the  remainder  in  July,  1865, 

It  participated  in  the  following  named  general  engage 
ments  as  well  as  numerous  others  of  less  note: — Yorktown, 
Hanover  Court  House,  Games'  Mills,  Malvern  Hill,  2nd  Bull 
Run  (1st  day),  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg,  Mine  Kun,  The  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania, 
North  Anna,  Bethesda  Church,  Cold  Harbor,  Assault  on  Pe 
tersburg  (June  18,  1864),  Siege  of  Petersburg,  Hatchers' 
Run  (2),Welden  Road,  Five  Forks  and  the  other  final  oper 
ations  of  the  Army  in  March  and  April,  1865,  preceding  the 
surrender  of  the  Confederate  "Army  of  Northern  Virginia." 
While  it  lost  279  men  in  killed  and  by  deaths  from  wounds 
received  in  action,  out  of  the  total  membership  of  2078,  it 
never  relinquished  its  colors,  save  to  the  Governor  of  Mass 
achusetts,  on  its  return  to  the  State,  where  they  now  hang 
in  the  Doric  Hall  of  the  State  House,  as  a  proud  emblem  and 
sacred  memory  of  the  past. 

Company  F  was  recruited  largely  in  the  neighboring 
town  of  Woburn,  one  of  its  members  becoming  a  field  officer 
of  the  Eegiment,  and  its  record  was  that  of  all  the  Compa 
nies  of  the  22nd  and  excelled  by  none.  Its  total  membership 
was  139,  and  the  losses — 12  killed  in  action,  8  died  from 
wounds  and  9  from  disease — 29  in  all. 

The  1st  N.  Y.  (Light)  Artillery  Regiment  was  organized 
in  central  New  York  in  the  Fall  of  1861,  and  its  Batteries 
(twelve)  were  scattered  through  the  various  Corps  of  the 
Armies  of  the_Potomac,  Ohio  and  Cumberland,  mainly  in  the 
first  named. 

Battery  C  was  organized  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  and  "mus 
tered  in"  Sept.  6th,  1861,  and  attached  at  various  times  to 
the  Artillery  Reserve,  also  to  the  9th  and  5th  Corps,  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  participated  continuously,  in  all 
the  campaigns  until  April,  1865,  being  "mustered  out"  June 
17,  1865. 


MORRISTOWN,  N.  J.,  Oct.  15,  1892. 
COL.  A.  D.  CUTLER, 

My  Dear  Colonel: — Your  kind  letter  of  the  30th  of  Sept. 
welcomed  my  arrival  here  lately  on  my  return  from  my  Sum 
mer  and  Fall  roarnings  and  enjoyments  North  and  West. 

I  am  glad  to  learn  of  your  interest  in  the  22nd  Regiment 
of  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  of  your  brother's  connection 
with  it.  It  was  one  of  the  many  much  loved  and  admired 
regiments  of  my  old  Division  at  Hall's  Hill,  Va.,  and  of  my 
old  Fifth  Army  Corps  of  Peninsula,  loved  like  all  the  others, 
for  its  unsurpassed  good  qualities,  its  excellent  management, 
fine  drill,  discipline,  unflinching  devotion  to  duty  under  the 
most  trying  circumstances,  and  firmness  in  meeting  its  op 
ponents,  no  matter  how  superior  in  numbers.  At  Hall's  Hill, 
side  by  side  with  its  sisters  from  Massachusetts,  the  9th  and 
18th  Regiments  and  1st  Mass.  Battery,  and  others  from  Maine, 
Michigan,  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Rhode  Island,  the 
Division  received  for  its  excellent  parade  and  drill,  the  com 
mendation  of  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Army,  as  a 
model  for  the  Army  and  a  warning  to  the  regulars  lest  they 
be  excelled.  That  standing  it  maintained  throughout  the 
War  and,  though  equalled  by  the  high  and  noble  qualities  of 
other  organizations,  it  was  never  surpassed  in  its  good  deeds 
and  devotion  and  its  sacrifices  to  the  Union  cause. 

At  the  battle  of  Gaiues'  Mills  in  the  firm  and  long  strug. 
gle  against  the  determined  efforts  of  its  near  three  times 
more  numerous  opponents,  the  22nd  Regiment  lost  its  noble 
loved  Commander  Col.  Gove,  (as  did  the  9th  Col.  Cass)  but 
though  sad  and  great  the  loss,  under  the  effect  of  his  good 
teachings,  it  never  flinched  in  the  long  years  following  in 
any  of  its  trying  struggles  and  duties  and  with  its  sister 
regiments  and  batteries  of  Massachusetts,  the  history  and 
examples  of  its  deeds  and  devotion  to  the  Union's  cause,  will 
ever  be  a  pride  and  example  for  other  organizations  of  the 
State  and  the  pride  of  the  State  itself. 

Ever  yours  truly, 

FITZ  JOHN  PORTER. 


THE    LETTERS. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Oct.  13,  1861. 
Dear  Mother: 

Thinking  that  you  would  be  anxious  to  hear  from  me, 
I  sit  down  in  great  confusion.  We  arrived  here  Friday 
about  11  A.  M.  pretty  well  used  up,  our  journey  being  an 
uncommonly  long  and  tiresome  one.  We  left  Boston  about 
4  o'clock,  Tuesday  p.  M.  and  arrived  in  New  York  about  10 
A.  M.  Wednesday.  We  received  great  cheers  all  along  the 
road.  We  had  refreshments  passed  through  the  cars  at 
Springfield.  Left  New  York  8  p.  M.  on  a  boat  for  Jersey 
City  distant  about  3  miles,  then  took  the  cars  to  the 
Delaware  Eiver  across  to  Philadelphia.  Here  we  were 
treated  tip  top  by  the  Quakers,  left  here  at  10  A.  M.  for 
Washington,  arriving  here  Friday  noon  at  10  A.  M.  When 
within  10  miles  of  Washington,  our  engineer  jumped  off  and 
refused  to  do  duty  any  further,  as  the  road  had  been  taken 
by  the  Secesh.  3  days  before.  Upon  this,  Col.  Wilson 
ordered  us  to  equip  ourselves  immediately  and  be  ready  for 
fight  as  we  supposed.  We  found  two  men  in  our  Regiment 
who  were  capable  of  steaming  us  on  to  Washington,  and  on 
we  went,  expecting  to  see  fun  at  any  minute.  In  coming  on 
we  lost  three  men;  two  overboard  and  one  on  the  cars.  We 
are  now  quartered  on  Pennsylvania  Ave.,  one  of  the  principal 
streets  of  Washington,  in  sight  of  the  Capitol  and  White 
House.  I  went  over  the  Capitol  yesterday;  it  is  the  finest 
building  I  ever  witnessed.  When  looking  at  it,  it  seemed 
impossible  that  the  hands  of  man  could  accomplish  so  fine 
an  affair.  It  is  now  2  o'clock  p.  M.  and  we  have  just  received 
marching  orders  for  Munsons'  Hill  about  15  miles  distant. 
If  this  is  the  place,  we  shall  be  with  the  advance  guard,  as 
the  Rebels  have  driven  our  force  back  to  there  within  a  few 
days.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  write  any  more,  for  the  order 
has  come  to  march.  C.  M.  CUTLER. 

P.  S. — If  you  write,  direct  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  22nd 
Reg.  Co.  F.  This  was  written  among  200  men,  all  talking 
at  once.  We  are  off.  Sling  knapsack!  A  good  fine  Sunday  ! 


HALL'S  HILL,  VA.,  Oct.  15,  18G1. 
Dear  Brother: 

We  arrived  in  Washington,  Friday  about  10  A.  M.  and 
were  quartered  on  one  of  the  principal  streets  right  in  sight 
of  the  Capitol  and  White  House.  On  Saturday,  we  marched 
through  the  principal  streets  and  by  the  Capitol  to  give  old 
Abe  a  chance  to  see  us.  He  liked  the  looks  of  us  so  well 
that  he  gave  us  more  credit  than  was  due,  and  has  thereby 

9 


sent  us  ahead  of  other  regiments.  The  news  came  Sunday 
that  there  was  probably  an  engagement,  as  Gen.  McClellan  had 
not  returned  to  Washington  on  Saturday  as  usual.  Capt. 
Thompson  came  in  about  noon  on  Sunday  and  asked  us  boys, 
"Are  you  ready  for  a  fight?"  and  there  was  not  one  of  us 
that  was  not  on  his  taps  in  less  than  a  twinkle.  He  told  us 
to  make  ready  to  march  at  two  o'clock,  saying  that  we  were 
destined  for  Falls  Church.  We  started  and  arrived  here  at 
9  P.  M.  This  place  is  ten  miles  from  Washington  south-west 
of  the  Potomac.  The  ground  that  we  occupy  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Rebs  ten  days  ago.  Their  pickets  now  extend 
to  Falls  Church  which  is  five  miles  distant.  They  are  re 
treating  every  day  and  will  probably  make  a  stand  at 
Manassas.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  tell  when  or  where  the 
next  battle  will  be  fought  as  the  Rebels  keep  retreating.  We 
could  see  signal  lights  thrown  up  all  along  their  line  last 
night  (Monday)  in  the  direction  of  Falls  Church.  Five  hun 
dred  men  were  detailed  to  chop  the  woods  in  this  vicinity 
yesterday.  Everything  was  laid  waste,  corn-fields  and  hous 
es.  I  helped  to  demolish  a  dwelling  house  this  morning  to 
get  boards  to  build  a  cook  house  of  and  to  use  in  the  tents 
and  I  can  now  look  at  it  from  where  I  am  writing.  There 
is  not  a  door,  window  or  board  left  in  the  place.  Right  op 
posite  to  our  camp  was  a  large  chestnut  wood,  now  there  is 
not  a  tree  standing.  On  our  right  there  is  a  regiment  of 
cavalary,  on  our  left  the  7th  Maine  boys  are  stationed.  We 
cannot  look  in  any  direction  without  seeing  an  encampment. 
There  are  fifty  regiments  camped  within  three  miles  of  us, 
which  makes  things  appear  decidedly  warlike.  Do  not  know 
whether  we  will  stop  here  one  day  or  two  months.  We  are 
liable  to  march  at  any  hour.  Do  not  go  on  guard  without 
being  fully  equipped  to  leave  at  any  time.  We  all  enjoy  our 
selves  first  rate,  seventeen  in  a  tent.  Afternoon!  Have  been 
doing  fatigue  duty  and  then  left  with  a  party  of  six.  Visited 
Col.  Cass'  regiment  one  half  mile  distant  in  sight  of  the 
Rebels.  They  expect  a  brush  at  any  minute.  A  battery 
close  by  shelled  a  Rebel  house,  and  it  now  lies  in  ashes. 
Dress  parade  is  coming  off  and  I  must  leave.  Direct  to 
Washington  22nd  Mass.  Vol. 

P.  S.  I  write  in  great  confusion.     Give  best  respects  to 
all  friends.     On  a  cartridge  box.  C.  M.  CUTLER. 


10 


HALL'S  HILL,  YA.,  Oct,  27,  1861. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  will  sit  down  to  write  for  the  third  time  and  see  if  I 
can  get  an  answer  from  home.  I  wrote  a  fortnight  ago  to 
James  and  have  not  received  an  answer  yet.  If  you  should 
see  the  pile  of  letters  our  Orderly  produces  every  night  for 
the  boys  of  Co.  F  you  would  not  wonder  that  I  was  anxious 
for  one. 

How  are  you  getting  along  at  home?  I  have  no  doubt 
you  are  desirous  of  hearing  from  me  as  often  as  possible, 
as  I  am  in  the  land  of  the  Rebels.  We  are  now  in  sight  of 
Falls  Church  which  is  about  two  miles  distant.  The  Rebel 
pickets  came  within  six  miles  of  this  place,  last  Thursday. 
We  sent  out  100  men;  ten  from  each  company.  I  did  not 
go  myself,  being  on  guard  at  home.  They  were  gone  forty- 
eight  hours,  but  did  not  bring  in  any  prisoners.  The  18th 
Mass.,  stationed  in  our  rear,  took  one  Friday,  that  had  been 
taken  before  by  the  2nd  Maine.  He  will  be  taken  care  of 
this  time.  We  are  in  Porter's  Division. 

Monday,  28. 

An  officer  of  the  regular  Army;  our  Division  was  re 
viewed  by  McClellan  and  staff  on  Saturday.  It  consists  of 
3  brigades,  4  batteries,  and  2  companies  of  cavalry;  in  all, 
18,000.  We  had  a  sham  fight  as  Mr.  Hartwell  calls  it,  but 
probably  on  a  larger  scale  then  he  ever  dreamed  of.  You 
can  imagine  us  in  a  field  of  25  acres,  infantry  in  3  columns, 
each  column  stretching  away  for  half  a  mile,  the  batteries  on 
our  right,  the  cavalry  on  our  left.  All  movements  were  made 
on  the  double  quick.  We  were  led  up  to  the  engagement  some 
times  by  Regiment,  and  sometimes  by  brigade,  firing  and 
then'retreating  to  load.  I  tell  you,  it  was  a  smoky,  stunning 
old  time.  All  the  boys  found  fault  with,  it  was  not  reality. 
We  gained  the  day  at  last  with  a  loss  of  very  few  We  are 
under  very  strict  discipline  and  are  on  guard  or  drill  most  of 
the  time.  We  shall  probably  advance  or  go  into  some  fort,  as 
it  is  very  cold  here  nights.  Last  night,  we  had  a  very  hard 
frost.  I  hardly  think  it  much  colder  where  you  are. 

How  does  Fred  get  along  being  Boss?  Tell  him  to 
write  and  tell  me  how  those  hogs,  and  things  in  general  are. 
How  I  should  like  to  step  in  and  be  with  you  all  for  a  day  ! 
I  like  soldiering  very  well,  and  should  be  well  contented  if 
I  thought  the  things  were  going  all  right  at  home.  If  you 
or  Mother  want  any  money,  you  can  get  it  of  Russell  on  my 
account,  and  I  will  make  it  all  right  with  him.  It  is  now 
9  P.  M.,  the  boys  are  all  stretched  out  and  it  is  time  for  me 
to  do  the  same.  We  have  a  fire  in  the  tent  to-night,  and  it 

11 


is  very  comfortable.  If  I  had  a  pie,  I  should  go  to  bed  all 
right.  We  have  bread  and  coffee  for  a  change  twice  a  day, 
week  in  and  week  out.  But  if  I  have  Thanksgiving  in 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  I  shall  get  something  better.  Don't  view 

this  with  a  critic's  eye. 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 

P.   S.     Direct  22nd  Regiment,  M.  V.,   Co.  F  care  Capt. 
Thompson. 

HALL'S  HILL,  VA.,  Nov.  2,  1861. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  yours  day  before  yesterday  and  was  very  glad 
to  hear  from  you ,  it  being  the  first  one  that  I  have  received  from 
home.     I  had  just  returned  from  being  a  picket,  and  nothing 
could  be  more  welcome  than  news  from  home.     We  started 
early  last  Tuesday  morning,  22  men  from  each  company,  250 
men  in   all  from  our  Regiment.     This  number  was  detailed 
from  five  regiments  each,  so  we  numbered  in  all  about  1100 
men.     We  started  with  forty  rounds  of  cartridges  and  two 
days'  rations  apiece.     We  went   in   the   direction   of   Falls 
Church,  five  miles  distant.     About  half  of  us  were  posted  on 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  railroad  leading  to  Leesburg  and 
Manassas  Junction.     The  rest  went  on  to  the  head-quarters 
of  the  pickets,  two  miles  off.     This   picket   duty  is  very  par 
ticular  business,  especially  in  the  night.     Each  one  is  caut 
ioned  to  keep  his  eyes  peeled,  and   lay   low  as  the  enemy  ap 
pear  in  different  forms.     One  Williams,  a  Rebel  who  fights 
on   his   own   hook,  appears  in  the  shape  of  a  calf.     He  has 
been  successful,  and  boasts  how  many  men  he  has  picked. 
He   shot   one  of   the   Maine  boys,  three  nights   since,    and 
wounded  another  in  the  hand.     A  bounty  of   $500  is  offered 
for  him  by  the  government.     Nothing  of  importance  occured 
the  first  night.     The  next  morning  we  were  relieved  by  our 
reserve.     We  then  acted  as  reserves   and   had  salt  horse  and 
crackers  given  out.     We  did   the  best  we  could  until   night 
came  on,  when  hens,  geese  and   pigs   in   the  vicinity  had  to 
suffer.     In  proof   I   send  the  enclosed.     About  nine  in  the 
evening  we   were  ordered   after  the  wagons  which  had  been 
sent  after  hay  and  had  not  returned  in  due  time.     We  went 
as  far  as  Vienna,  five   miles   beyond  our  pickets.     We  were 
fired  into  from  the  woods,  the  balls  passing  over  our  heads. 
We  returned  to  quarters;  started  for  home  the  next  morning 
being  out  two  and  a  half  days,  bringing  in  nothing  except  a 
few   potatoes,  chickens,  etc.     We   are   at   the   brigade  drill 
every  afternoon  under  Gen.  Martindale.     He  is  a  very  smart 
man  and  is  bound  to  make  us  efficient  in  drill  if  possible.    We 

12 


had  something  new  yesterday  which  was,  "Charge  bayonets 
at  double  quick."  This  is  done  with  a  yell  and  is  enough  to 
scare  the  devil  himself.  It  is  raining  very  hard  and  has  been 
all  night.  One  half  of  our  tents  are  nothing  but  mud. 
When  it  rains  here  it  makes  a  business  of  it.  I  am  sick  of 
Hall's  Hill  and  hope  we  shall  make  an  advance.  We  were  dis 
appointed  in  not  going  on  the  naval  expedition. 

I  am  glad  the  hogs  are  doing  well.  When  the  steers  get 
home,  do  as  you  think  fit  with  them.  Settle  for  them  and  the 
cow  Esterbrook  took.  They  went  up  the  25th  of  May.  Tell 
Abbie  those  things  in  that  bag  are  very  useful.  Tell  Bell  and 
Fred  to  write.  Much  love  and  respect  to  all.  Fall  in  for 
dinner  Co.  F.  Write  soon. 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 

P.  S.  Send  me  a  paper,  if  convenient. 


HALL'S  HILL,  VA.,  Sunday,  Dec.  22,  1861. 
Dear  Brother  Fred: 

I  sit  down  to  write  you  a  few  lines  in  answer  to  that  let 
ter  which  you  wrote  me.  I  hope  that  you  will  not  feel 
slighted  that  I  have  not  written  before. 

What  are  you  doing  with  yourself,  this  winter  ?  Going 
to  school,  I  suppose.  I  often  think  of  you  getting  up  in  the 
morning,  going  out  to  milk,  and  then  coming  in  to  a  good 
hot  breakfast.  How  you  ought  to  value  it.  No  one  knows 
how  to  value  a  home  until  deprived  of  one,  although  I  am 
satisfied  to  soldier  as  long  as  war  continues.  We  rise  in  the 
morning  at  taps  at  6:30  o'clock.  All  turn  out  for  roll  call. 
It  would  please  you  to  see  some  of  the  boys  hug  their  beds; 
but  most  of  them  manage  to  get  out  without  hats  or  shoes 
which  saves  them  from  being  checked.  Then  comes  break 
fast  which  consists  of  bread  and  coffee;  then,  we  drill  in  the 
bayonet  exercises  for  one  hour;  then  we  have  a  rest  until  10 
o'clock  when  company  drill  takes  place  till  noon.  In  the 
afternoon  from  2  to  5,  we  have  battalion  or  brigade  drill; 
then  comes  supper.  Nothing  is  thought  of  after  this  time, 
except  letters  and  papers  from  home.  I  do  not  think  I  re 
ceived  my  complement  of  late.  I  wish  you  would  write  once 
a  week  how  you  prosper.  How  much  milk  are  you  making 
this  winter,  and  how  many  cows  are  you  keeping?  What  are 
you  graining  them  on?  Is  George  with  you  now?  Since 
writing  my  last,  I  have  been  to  Alexandria;  it  is  quite  a 
place.  Went  into  the  Marshall  House  and  saw  the  place 
where  Ellsworth  was  killed.  The  stairs  on  which  he  was  shot 

13 


have  been  entirely  cut  away  and  carried  off.  I  obtained  a 
piece  large  enough  to  make  a  cane  which  I  shall  send  home, 
if  possible.  Last  Sunday  I  went  over  to  Chain  Bridge;  it  is 
quite  a  novelty.  It  is  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  and  is  with  a 
pile  60  feet  above  the  water.  The  scenery  at  this  place  on 
the  Potomac  is  very  grand.  Fort  Ethan  Allen  defends  the 
bridge  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  river.  We  have  been  very 
busy  for  three  days  back  fixing  our  tents,  palisading  them; 
have  a  stove  in  ours  which  cost  $7.00.  The  rest  of  the  boys 
look  upon  us  with  envy,  and  even  the  officers  come  in  to  see 
us.  Our  division  was  reviewed  yesterday  by  Gen.  McClel- 
lan  and  staff.  There  is  some  talk  of  our  going  to  South  Car 
olina,  but  I  hardly  think  so. 

How  does  Wm.  W.  Hartwell  survive  the  winter?  Have 
you  had  much  snow  yet?  We  have  not.  Tell  Mother  the 
box  of  goodies  has  disappeared  mysteriously.  It  sits  close  by, 
full  of  plates,  canteens,  dippers,  a  few  blank  cartridges,  etc., 
etc.  I  found  those  letters  enclosed;  shall  endeavor  to  answer 
them  Tell  all  the  folks  to  write. 

From  your  brother, 

C.    M.    C. 


HALL'S  HILL,   Va.,  Jan.  1,  1862. 
Brother  Lewis: 

I  sit  down  to  write  you  a  few  lines  in  answer  to  yours 
of  Dec.  8th.  First,  I  wish  you  and  yours  a  Happy  New 
Year,  hoping' that  by  the  time  another  rolls  round,  it  will 
find  the  country  in  different  circumstances.  Nothing  of 
importance  has  happened  of  late.  We  went  on  picket  last 
Saturday  and  returned  on  Monday.  It  was  quite  cold,  but 
we  managed  to  live  through  it.  We  took  a  darkey  prisoner. 
Last  night  we  heard  heavy  firing  off  towards  McCall's 
Division,  and  have  received  news  to  be  ready  to  move  at  a 
minute's  notice;  but  I  guess  it  will  amount  to  nothing,  as 
we  very  often  receive  like  orders  and  have  got  used  to  them. 

John  Gleason  has  got  an  office  which  he  has  much 
sought  after,  which  is  to  bring  the  grub  from  the  Quarter 
master's  and  deliver  two  candles  to  each  tent.  This  relieves 
him  from  all  guard  duty.  Oh!  for  an  office!  Corporal  Lunt 
still  sustains  his  position  with  credit  to  himself  and  town ; 
he  hails  from  A.  Cotton  still  lives;  he  is  the  best  shot  in 
the  company.  We  had  a  target  shoot  and  he  made  the  best 
shot;  and  if  you  believe  me,  I  did  the  next  at  150  yds. 
distant.  We  have  the  Enfield  rifle;  they  kill  at  1000  yds. 
We  are  to  receive  the  U.  S.  Springfield  rifle,  considered  the 

14 


best  in  the  world,  as  those  we  have  were  made  in  too  much 
of  a  hurry  to  be  good. 

I  don't  know  how  long  we  shall  stay  here;  we  have 
some  chance  of  going  South.  There  are  all  kinds  of  rumors 
round  the  camp  and  great  betting  about  our  destination.  A 
week  ago,  we  thought  we  should  go  to  Fort  Warren  in 
Boston  Harbor,  but  that  is  played  out.  Anything  but  Hall's 
Hill.  I  think  there  will  be  an  advance  on  Richmond  soon. 

The  other  night,  when  on  guard,  the  sentinel  next  beat 
to  me,  shot  two  of  his  fingers  off.  He  was  going  double 
quick  and  fell  down  on  his  rifle,  hand  on  the  muzzle.  It 
went  off,  taking  the  fingers  close  to  the  hand. 

How  is  business  with  you  ?  How  does  the  Home  Guard 
prosper  ?  I  am  well,  except  a  bad  cold,  which  we  are  all 
troubled  with.  From  your  brother,  C.  M.  C. 

P.  S. — Annie,  I  am  much  obliged  for  the  goodies 
received  from  you.  May  God  bless  you.  Brigade  drill  this 
afternoon. 


HALL'S  HILL,  Va.,  Jan,  18,  1862. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  received  yours  and  Fred's  letter  dated  Jan  3d  in  due 
time.  And  as  I  suppose  you  will  be  looking  for  an  answer, 
1  will  write,  although  I  have  nothing  very  interesting  to 
communicate.  We  are  still  on  Hall's  Hill,  up  to  our  knees 
in  mud  and  water.  1  was  on  guard  night  before  last  and 
on  fatigue  to-day,  in  the  rain.  This  weather  is  giving  us 
all  colds.  There  are  two  out  of  our  tent  in  the  hospital; 
Watson  of  Woburn  and  Ed.  Chandler,  who  is  sick  with 
fever.  He  has  been  quite  sick;  is  better  now.  I  shall  see 
him  to  day;  he  will  be  out  before  long.  I  heard  to-day  that 
we  shall  not  leave  this  place  until  we  left  for  Mass.  This  is 
rather  sickening  for  us  who  a  week  ago  were  expecting  to 
go  South  any  day;  but  it  is  all  Col.  Wilson's  doings,  who 
likes  to  have  his  pets  where  he  can  see  them  often,  which  he 
does,  accompanied  by  his  brother  Reps.  I  will  send  you  a 
picture  of  him.  We  are  as  comfortable  as  you  could  imagine 
in  our  rag  houses.  I  invented  a  bunk  and  all  the  boys  have 
followed  suit.  We  are  going  on  picket  next  Tuesday  morn 
ing.  You  can  think  of  me  about  that  time  looking  out  for 
Rebels.  We  shall  be  gone  out  two  and  a-half  days;  500  out 
of  the  Reg.  Last  night  after  10  P.M.,  there  was  a  continual 
heavy  firing  off  to  the  South  of  us,  which  was  probably  an 
attack  on  the  rebel  batteries  on  the  lower  Potomac.  We 
expect  to  hear  good  news  of  Burnside's  expedition.  I  should 
like  to  have  gone  with  him. 

Tell  Fred,   I  left  that  dog-skin  at  the  tannery  on  the 

15 


left,  just  before  you  get  to  the  place  called  "The  Foot  of  the 
Rocks;"  small  building  in  the  rear.  I  should  like  to  have 
you  get  it  becausa  I  think  it  will  make  something  quite  nice. 

Do  you  know  that  I  am  my  own  man  this  day?  Twenty- 
one  years  old!  Quite  an  old  man;  am  I  not,  with  my 
experience  ?  I  wonder  what  the  next  twenty-one  years  will 
bring  me,  if  I  live!  Two  years  ago,  I  was  in  Ashby,  Mass., 
working  for  Bradley;  now,  here  I  am  in  Va.,  working  for 
Uncle  Sam. 

I  received  that  Atlantic  Monthly  which  I  like  very  much. 
It  helped  to  wear  away  many  a  lazy  hour.  Tell  Mother  to 
write  me;  I  hardly  hear  a  word  from  her.  Ask  her  if  she 
remembers  the  dinners  she  and  I  used  to  have  last  winter, 
about  this  time. 

I  will  post  you  a  Washington  paper  at  the  same  time  as 
this  letter.  Write  and  tell  me  if  you  have  to  pay  postage  on 
the  letters  you  receive  from  me.  When  on  guard,  the  sentry 
of  the  next  beat  to  me  shot  two  of  his  fingers  off. 

We  shall  be  at  home  by  next  May.          From 

C.  M.  C. 


CAMP  WILSON,  HALL'S  HILL,  Va.,  Jan.  30,  1862 
Dear  Bell : 

I  received  your  letter  dated  Jan.  19th  about  9  A.M.  Was 
out  on  picket  at  the  time.  We  sent  in  two  of  the  men  after 
the  letters,  and  with  the  rest,  mine  came  which  was  quite 
unexpected  as  I  had  just  sent  one  home  which  you  have 
received  before  this  time.  You  ask  me  in  regard  to  my  cold; 
1  have  got  perfectly  well  of  it.  The  weather  out  here  is  very 
bad  of  late.  I  have  not  seen  the  sun  for  three  weeks;  it  is 
raining,  hailing  or  snowing  continually.  The  mud  is  very 
deep,  from  6  to  12  inches,  which  makes  it  almost  impossible 
to  do  much.  The  wagons  are  not  allowed  to  go  out  without 
six  horses  each,  the  roads  are  so  bad.  Last  week  Friday, 
the  orders  came  to  march,  pack  up  our  extra  baggage  to 
send  to  Washington.  We  did  so,  but  have  not  started  yet 
and  probably  shall  not  until  the  1st  of  Mar.  We  are  not 
going  on  any  naval  expedition.  When  we  move,  we  shall 
advance  on  towards  Centreville  and  Manassas.  Bull  Run  is 
twenty-five  miles  from  this  place.  We  have  250  pieces  of 
cannon  this  side  of  the  river  which  would  be  impossible  to 
move  at  present.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  people  at  the 
North  are  impatient  for  a  movement  on  the  Potomac.  I  am 
myself;  but  if  they  were  out  here,  they  would  be  satisfied 
to  the  contrary.  McClellan  is  waiting  for  settled  weather, 
before  he  makes  a  movement.  He  would  lose  half  of  hia 


men  by  sickness,  if  he  broke  camp  now.  One  of  the  2nd 
Maine  who  was  on  guard  Tuesday  night,  died  Wednesday 
with  the  cold  he  got. 

In  regard  to  clothing,  I  have  a  plenty.  Fred  said  that 
Mother  had  a  pair  of  mittens  for  me.  I  am  just  as  much 
obliged  as  if  I  had  none;  but  the  Lieut. -Colonel  was  home 
at  Boston  and  brought  out  mittens  from  the  ladies  for  the 
whole  of  us.  I  want  nothing  so  much  as  a  pair  of  boots; 
but  winter  will  soon  be  over  with  us. 

Much  love  to  all, 

C.   M.    CUTLER. 

P.  S. — I  saw  Stevens,  my  old  Woburn  friend,  when  in 
N.  Y.  He  treated  me  to  pears  to  remind  me  of  old  times, 
a  good  dinner,  filled  ruy  canteen,  offered  me  money,  etc. 
I  forgot  to  tell  you  before,  he  asked  for  my  sister  and  Miss 
Hartwell.  He  was  in  S.  C.  at  the  time  of  the  Rebellion. 
Was  offered  a  commission  in  the  Rebel  Army,  but  left  for 
the  North  with  his  head. 


CAMP   WILSON,  HALL'S   HILL,  Va.,  Feb.  7,  1862. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  letter  Wednesday  night  and  was  very 
glad  to  hear  from  you.  I  have  not  got  that  letter  you  sent 
by  Dr.  Drew;  probably  he  lost  it  and  thought  he  would 
keep  mum.  We  had  a  target  practice  this  afternoon,  six 
rounds  apiece  at  150  yds.  I  did  not  hit  but  once  but  it  was 
as  good  as  the  average.  The  wind  blowing  very  hard,  you 
could  not  hold  a  gun  steadily.  Every  fair  day,  our  Brigade 
General  puts  us  through  to  kill.  Last  Wednesday,  our 
Brigade  was  on  drill  from  8  A.M.  till  2  P.M.  We  had  a  sham 
fight;  Follett's  Battery  and  a  Co.  of  Cavalry  were  present. 
Our  Regiment  was  sent  out  as  skirmishers.  This  is  done  to 
wake  up  the  enemy  and  find  their  position.  We  deployed 
from  the  centre,  the  men  being  five  paces  apart;  the  Regi 
ment  reached  a  mile  or  more.  After  advancing  about  half 
a  mile  before  we  sighted  the  supposed  enemy,  we  commenced 
firing.  We  retreated,  then  rallied  on  the  reserve,  then  all 
fell  back  on  the  main  body. 

Sunday  Eve.,  Feb.  9,  '62.  I  left  off  writing  to  go  on 
drill  and  have  not  had  time  since.  Was  on  guard  last  night; 
got  through  with  it  first  rate  although  rather  cold.  Have  to 
go  on  once  a  week  on  account  of  half  of  our  men  reported 
unfit  for  duty.  You  speak  of  coming  out  here.  I  should 
like  to  have  you  tip  top;  but  soldiering  is  not  all  fun.  If 
you  get  out  of  biz.,  you  had  better  take  a  trial  of  it.  Variety 

17 


is  the  spice  of  life.  The  way  things  look  now,  I  think  the 
war  will  be  settled  soon;  and  if  it  is,  I  shall  probably  be  out 
of  it  by  the  middle  of  summer. 

I  hope  you  do  not  think  I  am  going  to  live  in  a  rag 
house  and  lay  on  a  rail  for  three  years,  not  a  bit  of  it. 
Uncle  Sam  can  not  stand  it  and  will  make  mince  meat  of 
them  before  that  time. 

Russell  has  discharged  me,  and  I  am  now  my  own  man, 
or  Uncle  Sam's,  I  might  say,  if  he  wants  me.  Take  a  note 
from  Mother  for  my  share  in  the  property.  She  might  like 
to  have  me  take  it  in  wood  which  would  release  her  from  all 
interest  and  notes.  You  might  take  yours  the  same,  if  you 
choose;  if  not,  I  am  satisfied  to  do  otherwise.  You  speak 
of  buying  a  milk  route.  I  would  if  I  were  you;  nothing 
like  being  boss  of  your  own  biz.  I  will  help  you  what  little 
I  can  when  you  are  in  want  of  the  rocks.  I  should  like  to 
go  in  with  you,  if  I  were  home. 

Your  truly,  C.    M.   CUTLER. 


CAMP  WILSON,  HALL'S  HILL,  Va.,  Mar.  9,  18fi2. 
My  dear  Bell: 

It  is  Sunday  afternoon  after  supper  with  us.  It  has 
been  a  very  pleasant  day,  the  most  so,  we  have  had  since 
spring  commenced.  In  the  middle  of  the  day,  we  can  sit 
comfortably  with  both  ends  of  the  tent  open.  It  is  not  so 
in  Mass.,  as  I  hear  by  Messrs.  Winn  and  Converse  with 
whom  I  spoke  yesterday.  They  are  out  here  on  a  visit  from 
Woburn.  I  heard  directly  from  Abbie  whom  Mr.  Converse 
saw  a  short  time  since.  He  speaks  of  the  large  quantity  of 
snow  you  have.  What  a  contrast!  There  is  not  a  mite  to 
be  seen;  the  ground  is  thawed,  the  roads  are  getting  settled 
fast,  and  the  sacred  soil  of  Virginia  wears  quite  a  different 
aspect  from  what  it  did  a  month  since.  I  was  on  guard  last 
night;  the  moon  shone  and  it  was  warm  as  May. 

Another  man  died  to-day  in  the  hospital  belonging  to 
our  company.  He  has  not  been  well  since  he  has  been  here. 
We  are  going  on  picket  tomorrow,  which  I  hope  will  be  the 
last  before  we  leave  Hall's  Hill.  You  folks  at  home  are 
probably  tired  of  hearing  of  the  forward  movement  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Not  more  so  than  the  boys  of  the 
Bloody  22nd  which  name  they  have  christened  it,  for  fear 
they  will  never  have  a  chance  to  win  it.  Gen.  Banks  has 
taken  Leesburg  which  is  fifteen  miles  distant  from  us. 

Fifteen  minutes  later!  I  had  to  stop  writing  to  receive 
two  days'  rations  of  coffee  and  sugar,  which  is  six  table- 
spoonfuls  of  each.  Ask  Mother  if  she  don't  think  we  are 

18 


bountifully  supplied.    Nothing  of  importance  has  transpired 
since  I  last  wrote  you.     There  were  1100  pairs  of  stockings 
sent  to  the  Reg.  from  Mass.     Each  man  had  a  pair. 
Yours  with  much  love,  from  your  brother, 
C.    M.    CUTLER. 

P.  S.— "Don't  view  this  with  a  school-marm's  eye,  but 
pass  the  blots,  etc.,  by."  Hoping  this  will  find  you  all  in 
good  health,  as  it  leaves  me.  Tell  Fred  to  write. 


ALEXANDRIA,  Virginia,  Mar.  20,  1862. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  received  yours  and  Fred's  letters  last  Thursday  night; 
they  were  very  welcome,  as  I  had  not  received  one  for  some 
time.  We  were  then  at  Fairfax  Court  House.  Last  Friday 
night,  our  Brigade  received  marching  orders  for  this  place 
which  is  18  miles  distant.  We  started  early  Saturday  morn 
ing  in  the  rain  (as  it  usually  does)  and  arrived  at  Camp 
California,  wet  to  the  ski  a.  This  place  is  two  miles  out  of 
the  city.  Yesterday  we  were  selected  as  the  R°giment  to 
do  provost  guard  for  the  city.  It  is  quite  an  honorable 
position  and  all  the  better  for  us,  as  we  have  good  quarters 
in  the  basement  of  a  church.  There  are  two  companies  in 
the  body  of  the  church  and  the  same  in  the  gallery.  We 
shall  probably  stop  here  until  the  expedition  which  is  now 
fitting  up,  gets  off.  There  is  some  talk  of  our  going  to 
Washington  on  the  same  duty,  after  that;  but  hope  not,  as 
I  should  rather  go  South  with  our  Division,  which  is  in 
Heintzleman's  Corps.  The  river  is  full  of  steamers  and 
transports  loading  with  coal  and  provisions  with  all  dis 
patch. 

You  ask  me  how  spring  opens  here.  It  is  getting  to  be 
quite  warm.  I  should  judge  that  it  was  six  weeks  earlier 
than  Mass.  The  buds  on  the  trees  are  swelling  and  the 
leaves  will  shortly  be  out.  We  have  not  had  our  tents  since 
we  left  Hall's  Hill,  Mar.  10.  Since  that  time  each  man  has 
had  to  cook  his  own  grub,  which  has  been  quite  a  task  for 
us  as  dishes  are  very  scarce.  Every  place  we  go  we  are 
minus  something.  '  I  have  nothing  but  a  quart  dipper,  for 
which  I  am  very  thankful,  for  quite  a  number  of  the  boys 
have  lost  their  knapsacks.  One  fellow  from  Reading  has 
lost  everything,  gun  and  all.  Ed.  Chandler  is  getting  to  be 
dissipated  in  eating;  does  nothing  but  fry  pork  and  hard 
bread  until  it  has  settled  in  his  legs  and  he  has  to  wear  a 
shoe  on  one  foot  and  boot  on  the  other. 

Via!     I  received  that  bos  containing  the   nice  pair  of 

19 


boots  and  a  good  pair  of  stockings,  night  before  last.    They 
were  very  acceptable  indeed.     Lieut.  Crane  carried  the  box 
round  some  time  trying  to  find  me,  and  he  has  been  worried 
about  it   as  it  was  particularly  in  his  charge. 
Youra  truly,  with  much  love-to  all, 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 


Bio  BETHEL,  Va.,  Mar.  26,  1862. 
Dear  Mother: 

As  I  have  some  spare  time,  I  think  I  will  pencil  you  a 
few  lines  to  let  you  know  where  we  are.  Since  I  last  wrote, 
we  have  made  quite  a  move.  We  were  then  at  Alexandria. 
Our  Division  embarked  last  Friday  afternoon  and  started 
down  the  river  next  morning,  arriving  nt  Fortress  Monroe 
late  Sunday  night.  We  had  a  first  rate  trip  having  good 
weather  all  the  way  down.  Our  Regiment  had  the  "  Daniel 
Webster,"  a  large  ocean  steamship  of  1300  tons.  Among 
the  others  were  the  "  Milley  Baker  "  and  "  Nantasket "  from 
Boston,  which  reminded  me  of  old  times.  Fortress  Monroe 
is  the  finest  piece  of  work  of  the  kind  I  ever  saw.  There 
are  seventy-five  acres  enclosed  within  the  walls,  laid  out 
with  walks,  shade  and  fruit  trees  all  over  it.  The  walls  are 
built  for  two  tiers  of  guns.  There  is  a  ditch  of  about  25 
feet  entirely  round  it  whose  bank  is  nicely  grassed  over.  I 
saw  the  big  Union  gun  which  weighs  40,099  Ibs.  and  carries 
a  solid  shot  of  600  Ibs.  They  are  just  mounting  her  so  as 
to  command  the  entrance  of  James  River.  By  the  way,  I 
suppose  you  have  heard  of  the  engagement  between  the 
Merrimac  and  Monitor.  That  little  craft,  if  so  I  may  call 
her,  is  a  big  thing  on  a  small  scale.  She  is  built  so  as  to  be 
very  little  exposed,  is  but  between  two  and  three  feet  above 
water,  except  her  wheel-house  and  cheese  box,  all  of  which 
are  built  of  plate  iron.  She  draws  eleven  and  a  half  feet  of 
water,  is  perfectly  tight  on  deck,  and  therefore,  can  never 
sink.  I  saw  the  shot  they  use  aboard  of  her.  They  are 
wrought  iron  between  200  and  300  Ibs.  weight.  The 
Government  have  two  more,  building,  like  her  which  will 
be  accomplished  shortly.  If  the  Merrimac  comes  down  the 
river,  she  will  probably  meet  with  a  warm  reception.  I  hope 
you  will  not  get  tired  reading  this. 

We  left  Fort  Monroe  Monday  noon  and  marched  to 
Hampton,  five  miles  distant.  This  place  was  burned  by  the 
Rebels  last  Aug.,  when  they  left  it.  The  16th  Mass,  is 
encamped  here,  the  one  that  Charley  Cutler  is  in.  I  did 
not  have  time  to  see  him,  but  heard  from  him  by  way  of  one 
of  his  company.  We  left  there  yesterday  morning  and 

20 


arrived  here  in  the  afternoon.  We  are  probably  on  our  road 
to  Richmond.  Capt.  Sampson's  Company  was  fired  into 
this  morning  on  picket,  about  40  rods  from  camp.  Our 
sharpshooters  are  out  looking  after  Rebels.  I  write  this 
lying  between  two  sacks  of  wheat  which  I  am  guarding.  We 
came  past  a  peach  orchard  yesterday,  which  was  just  bloom 
ing  out.  From  your  son, 

C.   M.    CUTLER. 


NEAR  YORKTOWN,  Va.,  Apr.  21,  1862 
Dear  Brother: 

As  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  you  for  over  two 
months,  you  will  not  wonder  at  my  writing  again.  I  have 
written  to  you  twice  and  have  not  had  an  answer  to  either. 
You  have  doubtless  heard  of  our  departure  from  Hall's  Hill 
through  the  columns  of  the  Woburn  Budget.  We  have 
been  at  this  place  a  fortnight  last  Saturday.  For  the  last 
ten  days,  I  have  been  on  fatigue  duty,  building  bridges  and 
fortifications.  Our  Division  have  built  six  bridges  across  a 
stream  running  into  the  York  River  regiments  relieving 
each  other  both  day  and  night.  Yesterday,  Sunday,  we 
turned  out  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  were  detailed  to 
work  on  a  breastwork  which  will  mount  twelve  heavy  guns 
directly  in  sight  of  the  Rebels,  but  screened  from  them  by  a 
lot  of  brush  thrown  up  for  the  purpose.  While  we  were 
digging,  one  of  the  boys  found  a  10  Ib.  shot  which  was  fired 
in  an  engagement  between  the  English  and  Americans 
eighty-one  years  ago.  Day  before  yesterday,  I  went  over  to 
the  2d  N.  H.,  Hooker's  Division,  about  half  a  mile  distant. 
Saw  Fred  Cutler;  he  did  not  know  me,  but  I  knew  him  the 
minute  I  got  my  eyes  on  him,  He  has  not  changed  a  mite; 
is  the  same  old  sixpence.  He  had  a  great  many  questions 
to  ask  in  regard  to  the  girls  of  the  Cutler  family;  who  was 
married  and  who  wasn't,  etc.,  etc.,  edifying  me  an  hour  or 
so  with  his  usual  amount  of  fox  stories. 

Tell  Abbie  those  stockings  that  accompanied  the  box 
were  just  what  I  wanted  and  came  in  the  right  time. 

What  are  you  doing  at  home  ?  I  expect  to  hear  some 
thing  of  you  soon;  gone  to  the  war,  bought  a  milk  route  or 
got  married.  The  ball  will  open  here  in  five  or  six  days. 
I  have  not  time  to  write  more.  The  fruit  trees  are  all  in  the 
height  of  bloom.  From  your  brother, 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 


21 


GAINKS  MILLS,  Va.,  May  27,  1802. 
Mrs.  Cutler: 

Yours  of  the  20th  reached  me  day  before  yesterday  at 
our  camp  near  Barker's  Mill.  The  letter  you  sent  to  Morton 
is  also  in  my  charge.  I  shall  keep  it  until  I  find  out  where 
he  is  now.  I  have  made  several  efforts  to  find  out  whether 
he  is  still  at  West  Point,  Va.,  or  has  been  sent  to  some 
northern  hospital  on  board  of  a  U.  S.  Transport,  but  as  yet 
have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  definite  or  satisfactory. 
Our  Asst.  Surgeon,  Dr.  Prince,  the  ablest  man  in  our 
medical  department,  was  left  in  charge  of  our  sick  boys  at 
West  Point,  where  we  left  Morton;  and  if  he  be  still  there, 
he  has  good  care  taken  of  him.  Our  surgeon  has  left  us  on 
account  of  sickness,  so  that  it  is  difficult  now  to  ascertain 
anything  about  matters  in  his  department.  On  our  regi 
mental  books,  our  sick,  left  behind,  are  reported  from  day 
to  day:  "Absent,  sick."  That  gives  me  no  information,  so  I 
have  just  written  a  letter  to  the  commander  of  the  Post  at 
West  Point  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  his  whereabouts  and 
situation.  Perhaps  he  may  have  reached  home  by  this  time 
(I  hope  he  has);  but  I  shall  not  abate  rny  efforts  until  I  learn 
how  and  where  he  is.  Our  many  and  rapid  marches  since 
we  separated,  have  made  it  impossible  to  keep  up  commun 
ication.  It  is  more  difficult  to  hear  from  West  Point, 
although  only  35  miles  distant,  than  it  is  from  Massa 
chusetts,  as  there  are  no  mail  accommodations  between  here 
and  the  former  place.  I  shall  send  by  private  conveyance 
and  all  that  can  be  done  for  his  comfort  by  me  shall  be 
cheerfully  done  for  the  love  I  bear  him.  He  was  in  good 
spirits  when  I  saw  him,  and  expressed  the  hope  of  joining 
us  soon,  as  he  then  felt  that  he  should  be  nicely  in  a  few 
days.  He  promised  me  that  he  would  write  you  soon  and 
often.  I  presume  he  has.  We  all  felt  bad  about  his  being 
obliged  to  remain  behind,  and  hope  to  see  him  in  our  ranks 
again  as  cheerful  and  lively  as  ever.  If  you  think  of  any 
thing  that  I  can  do,  please  command  me,  for  I  am  at  your 
service. 

The  Rebels  are  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  within  sight 
of  our  camp.  We  are  now  nine  miles  from  Richmond,  by 
the  road,  and  hope  to  be  in  the  Rebel  capital  soon.  Hoping 
that  a  speedy  victory  and  an  honorable  peace  will  soon 
enable  us  all  to  return  to  our  friends,  I  remain,  respectfully 
yours,  etc., 

J.   FRANK  GLEASON, 

Co.  F  22d  Mass.  Regt.  Vol. 

22 


[Dictated  to  nurse.] 

Fairfax  St..  Hospital,  Alexandria,  Va.,  5-29-1862. 
Dear  Isabella : 

Thinking  that  you  would  be  somewhat  anxious  to  know 
where  I  am  and  my  situation  at  present,  I  thought  it  best  to 
inform  you.  I  was  brought  to  the  hospital  at  this  place  on 
the  14th,  sick  with  fever.  I  came  by  boat  from  West  Point. 
I  was  in  the  hospital  there  or  in  that  vicinity  at  that  time 
and  was  too  sick  to  be  a  participant.  I  was  four  days  in 
coming  here,  and  during  that  time  received  no  attention 
scarcely;  but  I  found  quite  a  comfortable  place  here,  a  good 
physician,  kind  female  nurse,  and  male  attendants  equally 
good  and  kind,  and  through  their  attendance  and  treatment 
medically,  I  received,  I  find  myself  now  recovering,  and 
hope  ere  long  to  be  fit  again  for  the  duties  of  the  field.  I 
have  strength  sufficient  to  walk  across  the  room,  but  am  in 
bed  yet  a  good  part  of  the  time.  Time  drags  away  slowly 
here,  but  I  am  glad  I  am  so  comfortably  situated.  Tell 
Mother  she  need  not  be  worried  about  my  sickness,  as  1  am 
not  dangerous  and  am  well  taken  care  of,  and  will  soon  be 
well.  I  wish  James  would  write  to  me.  I  have  not  received 
a  letter  from  him  for  two  months,  and  now  when  I  am  sick, 
I  think  he  should  write.  I  have  money  enough  to  procure 
me  any  little  necessaries  that  I  need.  I  hope  that  this  will 
find  you  all  in  good  health  and  giving  yourself  no  uneasi 
ness  in  regard  to  me.  All  I  ask  of  you  is  to  write  as  soon 
as  possible.  My  love  to  all. 

Direct  to  your  loving  brother, 

C.    M.   CUTLER. 


ALEXANDRIA,  Va. ,  June  19,  1862. 
Dear  Brother  James: 

I  received  your  letter  dated  the  16th  yesterday,  and  one 
from  Bell  by  the  same  mail  besides  a  word  from  S.  A. 
Gardner.  The  boys  envied  me  as  I  was  the  only  one  that 
received  any  in  our  ward,  as  letters  are  a  great  rarity  out  here 
these  long  days.  There  are  130  patients  in  the  hospital. 
The  Mansion  House  has  1410  in  it.  Some  Secesh  put  a 
barrel  of  powder  under  this  building  and  would  probably 
have  blown  it  up  had  not  the  patrol  discovered  it.  They 
are  getting  very  bold  of  late,  having  shot  two  Union  soldiers 
yesterday.  They  were  taken  up  and  put  in  the  slave  pen, 
where  they  will  probably  have  time  to  meditate.  You  speak 
of  my  coming  home.  It  is  impossible  to  get  a  furlough.  I 
see  it  tried  every  day.  And  more  so  in  this  Hospital  than 

23 


in  some  others,  unless  you  have  some  disease  and  are  dis 
abled,  there  is  no  getting  home.  I  wish  I  was  able  to  go  to 
my  Regiment,  as  it  is  like  being  in  prison  here.  We  can 
not  get  out  without  a  pass  from  the  Dr.  He  would  not  give 
me  one,  but  I  made  out  to  get  out  yesterday.  I  am  getting 
better  every  day,  and  hope  to  be  with  the  boys  within 
another  month.  Give  my  love  to  Joseph  and  Abbie  and  the 
children.  From  your  ever  loving  brother, 

C.  M.  C. 

P.  S. — -I  see  you  have  not  changed  your  business  yet. 
Very  well!  A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss;  a  sitting  hen 
lays  no  eggs.  Wait  until  this  miserable  war  is  over. 


ALEXANDRA,  Va.,  June  20,  1862. 
My  dear  Mother: 

I  received  Bell's  kind  letter  dated  the  15th  inst.  I  was 
very  glad  to  get  it  as  it  brought  such  good  news  and  remem 
brances  of  home.  How  I  should  like  to  be  there  again ! 
But  it  is  useless  in  trying  to  get  a  furlough.  One  of  the 
boys  that  came  here  the  same  time  I  did  and  has  had  a  fever, 
asked  the  Doctor  yesterday  for  one.  He  said  there  was  no 
such  thing  in  the  book.  In  fact,  it  is  no  use  asking  for  one, 
as  we  always  get  the  same  answer.  Tell  Bell  she  ought  not 
to  speak  of  beefsteak,  pies,  etc.,  to  a  soldier,  as  those  are 
things  we  know  nothing  of.  I  showed  the  letter  to  some  of 
the  boys;  they  advised  me  to  show  it  to  the  Dr.  To  tell  the 
truth,  Bell  can't  be  beaten  in  writing  letters.  I  am  getting 
along  as  fast  as  could  be  expected;  am  very  hearty,  eating 
my  rations,  with  a  pint  of  milk  and  crackers,  or  something 
of  the  kind,  at  the  table  of  a  nice  old  lady,  the  other  side 
of  the  street  at  my  own  expense.  You  see  I  am  bound  to 
live,  if  I  am  among  the  Secesh.  We  are  not  allowed  to  go 
out  without  a  pass  from  the  Dr.,  only  across  the  street  after 
milk.  This  makes  it  bad  for  us,  but  we  manage  to  get  what 
we  want  by  dropping  a  little  fellow  (a  Captain's  servant)  out 
of  a  back  window  some  six  feet  to  the  ground,  for  which 
consideration  he  gets  numerous  cakes.  I  have  been  here 
now  over  a  month,  and  am  tired  and  sick  of  the  place.  1 
hope  by  another  1  will  be  all  right;  but  have  got  to  eat  some 
in  the  time  to  do  it.  I  should  like  to  come  home  very  much, 
as  I  find  the  longer  I  live  and  the  more  I  see,  there  is  no 
such  place  elsewhere;  and  if  we  ever  get  through  this  miser 
able  Rebellion,  I  intend  to  have  one.  But  I  never  want  to 
leave  where  1  am  until  it  is  over,  if  I  can  have  my  health; 
not  because  I  like  it,  but  because  I  think  it  the  duty  of  every 
one  now  engaged  to  take  hold  and  end  it  as  quickly  as  poss- 

24 


ible.     I  think  by  cold  weather  things  will  be  straightened, 
so  some  of  the  regiments  will  be  discharged. 

I  think  by  what  Fred  wrote  me  of  his  farming,  that  he 
is  doing  first  rate;  better  than  could  be  expected  of  him; 
but  then,  the  Cutler  boys  can  do  anything  they  take  hold  of. 

How  does  Mr.  Hartwell  bear  the  cares  of  life  ?  I  hear 
very  little  from  him.  I  suppose  he  is  hoeing  his  corn  and 
potatoes  as  usual.  I  wish  I  was  doing  the  same  thing.  The 
season  down  here  is  very  backward,  although  the  market  is 
well  supplied  with  strawberries,  cherries,  tomatoes,  etc. 
The  peaches  are  as  large  as  pullets'  eggs. 

The  Hospital  is  close  by  the  Potomac.  We  can  look 
over  into  Maryland  and  see  the  green  wheat  fields,  which 
make  one  think  of  something  besides  war.  Take  good  care 
of  yourself,  and  do  not  use  your  lame  arm,  and  do  not  worry 
yourself  about  things.  I  shall  except  a  word  from  you  soon. 
I  have  been  all  day  writing  this,  as  I  had  to  give  up  the  pen. 

By  the  way,  my  knapsack  turned  up  to-day.    One  of  the 
boys  found  it.     It  looked  like  an  old  friend. 
From  your  son, 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 


HARRISON'S  LANDING,  Va.,  Aug.  14,  1862. 
Dear  Mother: 

I  hope  you  will  forgive  me  for  not  writing  before,  but 
it  is  so  warm  that  one  has  enough  to  do  to  keep  cool  without 
speaking  of  anything  else.  I  returned  from  the  Hospital  a 
fortnight  ago  and  am  now  in  good  health,  feeling  first  rate 
and  hope  this  will  find  you  the  same.  We  are  encamped 
close  to  the  river,  where  we  can  enjoy  a  good  wash  with 
pleasure.  And  men  are  pretty  well  played  out  with  the  heat 
and  fatigue  they  have  been  through.  The  Regiment  now 
numbers  218  men,  instead  of  1250  which  came  out.  Lieut. 
Crane  and  five  men  that  were  taken  prisoners  to  Richmond, 
returned  this  week.  They  looked  hard,  having  suffered 
everything  but  death,  the  Rebs.  having  starved  them.  There 
is  a  great  secret  movement  at  hand  of  which  nobody,  except 
the  head  officers,  have  any  idea  and  when.  Knapsacks  were 
sent  down  river  three  days  ago.  We  are  now  in  light  march 
ing  order,  expecting  to  move  any  time  the  opportunity  comes. 
The  Rebs.  are  too  strong  for  us  at  this  position,  and  "  Mack" 
is  withdrawing  his  forces  as  best  he  can,  keeping  up  appear 
ances  at  the  same  time.  How  does  J.  Gleason  carry  sail  ? 
The  men  of  the  Co.  are  all  down  on  him,  because  of  the  way 
he  got  home.  It  takes  a  sharp  man  to  get  out  of  a  scrape; 
one  that  has  been  to  college. 

25 


How  does  Fred  get  along  with  the  haying  ?  I  suppose 
he  is  nearly  done  by  this  time.  I  often  think  of  him  sweat 
ing  away  in  the  meadows.  How  does  neighbor  Hartwell 
prosper  ?  Does  he  get  any  of  his  hay  wet  ?  Give  my  best 
respects  to  him.  I  hope  you  do  not  lose  any  sleep  on  my 
account.  I  did,  my  bed  having  broken  down  three  times  last 
night.  How  does  your  arm  get  along  ?  Be  careful  and  take 
care  of  yourself.  From  your  ever  loving  son, 

C.    M.    CUTLER. 

Bad  news.  Chandler  ate  his  last  box  of  sardines  yester 
day,  having  had  his  pocket  picked  of  all  he  had,  $18.50. 


SHARPSBURQ,  Md.,  Sept.  29,  1862. 
My  dear  Bell: 

I  received  your  letter  of  the  llth  inst.  last  night,  and 
as  you  find  paper,  I  can  not  do  less  than  to  answer  it.  The 
last  time  I  wrote  home,  we  were  at  Hall's  Hill  expecting  to 
stay  there  in  defense  of  Washington.  But  there  is  no  rest 
for  us.  We  marched  some  125  miles  since  then.  Our  Bri 
gade  arrived  here  on  Tuesday,  the  day  before  the  Wednes 
day  fight  (Antietam).  I  fell  out  on  account  of  sore  feet  the 
day  before,  but  fell  in  with  the  5th  Maine  Regiment,  Frank 
lin's  Corps,  as  I  could  not  find  any  of  Porter's,  and  was  with 
them  all  day.  The  fighting  was  tremendous  from  sunrise  to 
sunset.  During  the  afternoon,  we  drove  them  about  a  mile 
which  gave  us  a  good  chance  to  see  what  our  batteries  had 
done  for  them.  The  ground  was  completely  I  covered  with 
their  dead  and  wounded.  It  was  an  awful  sight,  but  such 
is  war.  The  battle-ground  was  north-west  of  the  Cumber 
land  Mts.,  as  handsome  a  country  as  ever  you  saw,  as  is  all 
Maryland  we  have  passed  through,  entirely  different,  as  the 
Va.  people  and  everything  else.  I  joined  my  Regiment  the 
next  day,  finding  they  had  not  been  in  the  fight,  they  acting 
as  a  reserve.  The  Saturday  following,  our  Brigade  forded 
the  river  near  Shepardstown.  We  had  barely  got  across 
and  thrown  out  the  118th  Pa.  Regiment  as  skirmishers, 
when  the  Rebs.  came  down  on  us  in  force.  We  came  back 
in  a  hurry,  each  one  looking  out  for  himself.  We  got  across 
losing  but  two  men.  The  other  Regiment  and  the  Brigade 
suffered  a  great  deal  more.  The  118th  Pa.  lost  150  men,  as 
they  were  the  last  to  cross.  Since  then,  we  have  been  doing 
picket  duty  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  river  near  Shepards 
town  and  can  see  the  Rebel  flag  flying  there.  Ed.  Chandler 
went  over  to  see  his  big  brother  Sam  who  brought  me  word 
from  you. 

2G 


Via!  John  and  Adam  Peters  were  both  wounded  in  the 
late  battle.  E.  Fisk's  brother  was  killed.  Cousin  Fred 
Cutler  was  wounded  in  the  head  and  foot  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run  (second)  bringing  off  a  prisoner  when  he  came  off 
the  field.  Chandler  wishes  me  to  say  that  he  is  all  right, 
ready  to  make  another  raid  into  Virginia,  as  is  your  humble 
servant  and  affectionate  brother, 

C.    M.   CUTLER. 

P.  S. — In  regard  to  the  box,  do  not  send  till  we  go  into 
winter  quarters,  as  we  lose  everything  on  our  marches. 


FALMOUTH,  Nov.  25,  1862. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  yours  yesterday,  Sunday,  and  was  very  glad 
to  hear  from  you.  I  suppose  the  folks  at  home,  especially 
Abbie  and  Nell,  think  I  have  forgotten  them  because  I  do 
not  write.  We  have  been  continually  on  the  move  since 
leaving  Maryland.  We  are  now  under  General  Joe  Hooker, 
the  old  fighting  cock,  and  expect  to  see  some  fun  before 
long.  The  Rebs.  occupy  Fredericksburg  about  one  and  one 
half  miles  from  here,  and  as  soon  as  the  bridges  running  to 
Acquia  Creek  are  reported  open,  we  shall  move  in  that 
direction.  It  is  getting  to  be  very  cold  down  here,  I  wish 
you  would  send  me  a  pair  of  woollen  gloves  by  mail.  We 
had  a  snow  storm  on  the  7th  of  the  month,  water  freezing 
in  our  canteens  every  night.  Pretty  cold  weather  for  the 
new  recruits,  $150  men,  $50  men,  $25  men.  I  congratulate 
you  and  all  the  rest  of  the  folks  on  a  good  turkey  dinner. 
I  will  be  with  you  in  thought,  if  not  in  person.  How  is 
mother,  at  home  ?  Write  and  tell  me  all  the  news,  your 
future  prospects,  etc.,  etc.  I  am  in  good  health  and  hope 
this  will  find  you  the  same.  Give  my  love  to  Abbie  and 
Joseph.  From  your  ever  loving  brother, 

C.    M.    CUTLER. 


NOTE  — A  very  interesting  letter,  descriptive  of  the  Battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  14  and  15,  1862,  cannot  be  found. 
A.  D.  0. 


NEAR  FREDERICKSBURG,  Va.,  Jan.  27,  1863. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  your  letter  to-night,  and  as  I  am  not  much 
inclined  to  sleep,  I  will  favor  you  with  a  fewjines.  .  A  week 

27 


ago  to-day,  Tuesday,  we  started  to  cross  the  river,  but  got 
stuck  in  the  mud.  Gen.  Siegel  was  to  take  the  advance, 
but,  as  the  rainy  weather  commenced,  it  proved  a  failure; 
nothing  of  importance  helped.  We  were  out  four  days 
getting  wet  to  the  skin.  The  first  night  did  not  sleep  a 
wink,  often  getting  back  the  artillery  and  baggage  wagons 
by  corduroying  the  roads.  We  returned  to  camp  where  I 
hope  they  will  be  willing  to  let  us  rest. 

Jan.  31,  1863.  Since  commencing  this,  our  Brigade  has 
been  on  picket;  was  out  four  days,  seven  miles  towards 
Warreuton.  It  rained  when  we  started  out  which  turned 
into  snow,  which  fell  for  about  a  foot,  the  most  I  have  seen 
in  Virginia.  It  was  beautiful  coining  in,  the  mud,  water 
and  snow  up  to  our  knees.  A  great  many  of  the  men  are 
sick.  The  recruits  are  getting  their  discharges  very  fast. 
One  Hamilton  of  our  Company,  who  says  he  is  acquainted 
with  you  and  has  taken  milk  of  you  in  Charlestown,  is  very 
low  and  will  probably  get  his  discharge.  Cy.  Converse  of 
Woburn  got  his  to  day.  The  22d  number  204  guns.  The 
Army  generally  is  discouraged  and  demoralized,  having  not 
received  any  pay  for  the  last  six  months.  But  we  shall  soon 
get  some,  as  Maj.  Holmes  has  arrived  and  with  him,  no 
doubt,  a  plentiful  supply  of  greenbacks.  Mr.  Hackett  came 
to  light  three  days  ago,  bringing  my  package  in  good  order- 
Tell  Mother  the  stockings  remind  me  of  home,  and  I  am 
very  much  obliged  for  them.  We  are  very  well  supplied  with 
stockings,  as  the  Company  received  a  hundred  pairs  from  the 
ladies  of  Woburn,  which  gave  each  man  three  pairs.  I  am 
not  in  need  of  anything.  I  wish  you  would  send  me  Bos 
ton  papers,  as  reading  matter  is  very  scarce  out  here.  G. 
Harrington  is  driving  an  ambulance.  Ed.  Chandler  is  re 
galing  himself  at  the  convalescent  camp,  Alexandria. 


NEAR  FREDERIOKSBURQ,  Va.,  Feb.  7,  18G3. 
Dear  Brother: 

We  were  paid  a  few  days  ago.  I  send  you  by  express 
$(50.00  with  which  you  do  as  you  think  proper.  I  am  in 
good  health,  with  the  exception  of  a  cold;  but  am  heartily 
sick  of  the  war,  as  are  all  the  boys,  and  shall  get  out  of  the 
service  at  the  first  opportunity.  Everything  seems  to  go 
against  us  of  late.  Joe  Hooker  has  command  of  the  Army 
now,  and  the  next  movement,  you  may  expect  to  hear  of  a 
failure,  as  none  of  us  have  any  confidence  in  his  general 
ship. 

are  Nell   and   Frankie  ?     I  should   write,  but  am 

28 


such   a   poor   hand   at   it,    and   do    not   feel   in   the  mood 
very  often. 

I  lost  all  papers  and  accounts  you  sent  me.     They  were 
taken  out  of  my  knapsack.      From  your  brother, 

C.    M.   CUTLER. 


POTOMAC  CREEK,  Va.,  Feb.  20,  '63. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  received  a  letter  from  you  last  night  which  1  was  very 
glad  to  get,  as  the  times  are  very  dull  out  here  and 
anything  from  home  is  welcome.  You  speak  of  the  want  of 
bomething  more  interesting  to  write.  Do  not  let  that  trouble 
you,  for  it  does  not  me  in  the  least.  I  was  greatly  surprised 
the  other  day  by  Mr.  Twombley  and  his  father-in-law  mak 
ing  their  appearance.  They  came  quite  a  distance  to  see  me, 
and  were  much  fatigued,  having  had  a  good  introduction  to 
Virginia  mud.  Mr.  T.  was  very  anxious  to  see  Fredericks- 
burg,  the  battle  field,  etc.,  etc.  Though  raining  hard,  we 
started  on  a  reconnoissance  for  the  above-named  places,  of 
which  we  soon  came  in  sight,  with  a  few  butter-nuts  mixed 
in,  of  which  he  was  quite  shy.  He  was  much  pleased  with 
what  he  had  seen,  and  said  that  it  paid  him  for  his  journey 
from  Massachusetts.  We  got  back  at  9  P.M.  They  stopped 
over  night  in  as  good  a  bunk  as  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
can  boast  of  and  left  in  the  morning  for  Fort  Monroe.  I 
should  have  thought  that  Joseph  or  James  would  have  come 
with  them.  Tell  them  it  is  not  too  late. 

Part  of  the  Army  has  left  here  for  farther  south;  pro 
bably  Newbern.  Our  destination  is  here  until  after  the 
contemplated  fall  of  Vicksburg  and  Charleston.  I  think 
(this  is  my  own  proposition)  Richmond  is  to  be  left  until  the 
last,  when  its  fall  will  be  terrible  before  the  efficient  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  Mr.  Hackett  arrived  about  a  fortnight  ago 
bringing  me  the  bundle  which  you  sent.  The  shirts,  hand 
kerchiefs  and  stockings  were  just  what  I  needed,  and  for 
each  I  am  very  much  obliged.  The  stockings  reminded  me 
of  those  worn  in  former  days.  We  lately  received  three  pair 
per  man  from  the  ladies  of  Woburn.  Long  may  they  live! 

Via!  I  hear  Elise  is  married.  Long  may  she  live!  We 
are  getting  soft  bread  four  times  a  week  per  order  Gen.  Joe 
Hooker.  Ed.  Chandler  is  still  in  the  hospital  at  Alexandria. 
J.  F.  Gleason  is  at  work  at  the  Quartermaster's.  Since  the 
battle  of  F.,  he  has  been  reduced  to  $13.00  and  one  month's 
pay  stopped;  but  he  is  a  good  fellow. 

Tear  this  up.  I  am  in  good  health.  Give  my  love  to 
Mother. 

29 


POTOMAC  CREEK,  Va.,  Mar.  9,  18G3. 
Dear  Abbie: 

You  must  excuse  me  for  not  writing  before.  We  have 
been  continually  on  the  move  since  Joseph  left  me.  The 
Rebs.  have  been  on  hand  driving  our  outer  pickets  in  every 
night  or  two,  which,  with  a  review  by  Gen.  Hooker,  has 
taken  up  most  of  the  time.  I  was  very  sorry  you  did  not 
make  your  appearance  the  next  Sunday.  I  was  looking  for 
you  all  day,  and  did  not  give  you  up  until  Monday  night,  at 
which  time  I  suppose  you  were  on  the  way  to  Ft.  Monroe. 
I  was  disappointed  as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  boys;  for  the 
pleasant  countenance  of  a  woman  in  camp  would  have  been 
hailed  with  great  pleasure.  I  had  chartered  a  wall  tent  for 
your  reception,  which  I  am  sorry  you  were  not  present  to 
occupy. 

Via!  How  did  you  like  the  looks  of  what  you  saw  of 
old  Virginia?  Not  very  well,  I  gueas.  If  you  had  seen  as 
much  of  it  as  I  have,  you  would  not  think  it  worth  while  to 
describe.  I  received  the  letters  you  wrote  me  in  Washing 
ton  and  went  over  to  Hooker's  headquarters  where  I 
obtained  the  box  without  any  trouble,  and  am  much 
obliged  to  you  and  Joseph  for  the  contents  which  were 
tried  by  all  my  tent's  crew  with  Day  and  Sergeant  Meriam 
who  rung  in.  John  Gleason  said  if  I  did  not  give  him  some 
of  that  butter  he'd  tell  Abbie:  but  I  didn't  see  the  point. 

Everything  remains  the  same  as  it  has  for  a  long  time. 
We  received  new  dress  coats  in  which  the  Regiment  made 
quite  an  appearance  at  the  late  review,  and  are  to  get  knap 
sacks  soon.  Furloughs  are  stopped.  The  women  are  all 
ordered  from  the  Army  by  the  first  of  April  which  looks  like 
stirring  times  ahead.  Let  it  come!  The  men  are  in  good 
spirits.  Joe  Hooker  has  fed  us  well  and  gained  the  good 
will  of  all.  I  still  remain  in  a  house  with  sheeting  fora  roof 
and  the  ground  for  a  floor. 

I  remain,  your  loving  brother, 

C.   M.   CUTLER. 

Sunday  afternoon.  Col.  Tilton,  22d  Mass.  Regiment; 
Gnn.  Barnes,  1st  Brigade;  Gen.  Griffin,  1st  Division;  Gen. 
Meade,  5th  Army  Corps. 


NEAR  FREDERICKSBURG,  Va.,  May  10,  1808. 
Dear  Bell: 

As  I  know  you  will  bQ  anxious  to  hear  from  me  at  the 
present  time,  I  will  write  a  few  lines.  The  Army  fell  back 
across  the  Rappalmnnock  on  the  night  of  the  8th  inst. 

80 


in  a  drizzling  rain  with  mad  about  six  inches  deep;  for 
what  reason  regains  to  be  found  out.  It  is  said  that  the 
cause  of  the  failure  is  laid  to  the  llth  Army  Corps,  com 
posed  entirely  of  Germans,  who  broke  and  confused  the 
whole  thing.  Never  was  there  an  army  started  in  ^better 
spirits  than  ours  did  the  29th  of  April.  Underwent  every 
fatigue  without  a  murmur,  confident  of  success.  The  first  day 
we  marched  some  twenty-seven  miles  to  Kelly's  Ford,  where 
we  stopped  for  the  night;  crossed  on  pontoons  the  next 
morning.  About  night,  we  forded  the  Rapidan,  which  was 
nearly  up  to  our  armpits.  It  was  a  laughable  sight  to  see 
us  crossing-  divested  of  all  our  clothes  except  our  shirts. 
Slung  about  our  necks,  were  eight  days'  rations;  but  it  was 
more  prose  than  poetry,  I  assure  you,  as  the  current  was 
very  swift.  The  5th  Corps  arrived  there  just  in  time  to 
avoid  a  battle,  as  the  Johnnies  were  making  for  it  on  the 
other  side.  We  lay  down  much  elated  at  our  success  that 
night.  We  came  up  with  them  the  next  morning  and  drove 
them  from  their  rifle  pits  which  they  were  building  all  night. 
That  day  was  spent  in  reconnoitering  and  forming  lines  of 
battle.  The  next  day  the  llth  Corps  broke  when  the  Rebs. 
charged,  which  brought  the  5th  to  the  front,  which  we  held 
for  five  successive  days  and  nights.  The  Rebs.  charged  on 
us  repeatedly  day  and  night,  but  our  grape  and  canister 
were  too  hot  for  them.  Never  were  there  men  acted  more 
recklessly  than  they,  marching  out  in  solid  columns  over 
and  over  again  when  we  mowed  them  down  like  grass.  On 
Sunday,  after  coming  out  several  times,  they  set  the  woods 
on  fire,  the  wind  being  the  right  way  to  drive  the  smoke  in 
our  faces,  and  advanced  under  cover  of  that,  but  were  re 
pulsed  with  great  loss.  Just  at  this  time.  Gen.  Hooker  was 
unhorsed  by  a  piece  of  spent  shell;  Gens.  Berry  and 
Whipple  were  also  killed.  Our  loss  is  small,  on  account  of 
being  behind  the  breastworks.  I  will  send  you  a  piece  of 
conical  shell  from  the  Rebs.  which  came  within  close  prox 
imity  of  your  humble  servant.  With  love, 

C.   M.  CUTLER. 

Give  my  love  to  Mother.     Tear  this  up;  for  I  shall  not 
write,  if  my  letters  are  heralded  all  over  the  State. 


BEVERLY  FORD,  Va.,  Aug.  10,  1803. 
My  dear  Mother: 

I  have  not  heard  from  home  for  some  time,  although  I 
have  written  several  letters.  I  shall  soon  begin  to  talk  the 
way  Bell  talks  to  me.  It's  a  poor  rule  that  will  not  work 


31 


both  ways.  We  are  now  taking  a  little  rest,  if  there  is  such 
a  thing  as  rest.  This  warm  weather  it  is  almost  impossible 
to  stop  out  in  the  sun.  Quite  a  number  of  men  have  been 
sunstruck  walking  their  beat.  This  place  is  about  15  miles 
south  of  Warrentown.  We  are  close  by  the  river  where  the 
pontoons  are  laid.  I  do  not  know  whether  it  is  the  inten 
tion  to  move  us  across  or  not,  but  do  not  think  it  likely,  as 
report  says  that  Lee  intends  to  make  another  raid  on  Wash 
ington.  I  hope  this  is  so;  if  he  does,  it  will  be  the  last  of 
his  Army.  His  combined  forces  will  be  too  much  for  us; 
but  as  he  can  not  enter  the  place  without  losing  half  his 
strength,  and  can  not  stay  there  if  he  takes  it,  it  will  be  like 
going  to  Pa.  Everything  looks  favorable  to  us  down  here, 
and  if  we  can  only  take  Charleston,  it  will  be  the  biggest 
thing  yet.  Richmond,  we  are  leaving  for  the  last,  when  all 
the  boys  are  going  to  take  a  hand,  the  conscripts  included, 
and  make  short  work  of  it. 

Where  is  James  ?  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  him 
for  the  last  three  months.  I  received  a  letter  from  Russell 
with  news  altogether  better  than  I  expected  concerning  my 
pecuniary  affairs,  etc. 

How  does  the  haying  prosper  ?  How  I  should  like  to 
take  a  week  or  so  in  the  hay -field!  But  I  think  Fred  would 
be  more  than  a  match  for  me,  as  I  am  such  a  veteran  I  have 
forgotten  everything  about  farming  I  ever  knew;  and 
"action  to  front,  limber  to  rear,"  has  become  second  nature 
to  me.  I  like  the  Artillery  much  better  than  the  Infantry. 
There  are  but  twenty-five  of  the  original  men  in  this  Battery; 
the  rest  are  made  up  from  the  Infantry.  There  are  four  of 
the  22d  here,  and  some  from  the  12th  and  13th  Mass.; 
Maine,  N.  H.,  Vt.  and  Pa.  regiments  are  represented  here, 
also.  The  captain  was  a  minister,  but  has  descended  a 
grade  or  two  like  all  army  officers.  I  am  pretty  well,  but 
feel  a  little  touch  of  the  fever  I  had  last  summer. 

I  want  you  to  have  your  picture  taken  for  me.  Tell 
James  to  write.  From  your  son, 

C.    M.    CUTLER. 


BEVERLY  FORD,  Va.,  Aug.  22,  18fi3. 
Pear  Brother: 

I  send  you  by  express  to-day  $40.00.  I  received  your 
letter  in  due  time.  The  statement  was  altogether  better 
than  I  expected.  We  are  lying  close  by  the  river  in  the  face 

32 


of  the  Rebs.    We  expect  them  to  open  on  us  at  any  moment, 
but  we  are  well  prepared.     I  like  the  artillery  much  better 
than  the  infantry.     I  am  well.     Give  my  love  to  Nell. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

C.  M.  CUTLER. 


BEVERLY  FORD,  Va.,  Sept.  13,  1863. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  Bell's  letter  yesterday.  I  have  not  had  one 
before  for  nearly  a  month.  The  one  with  the  stamps,  I  did 
not  get.  We  received  marching  orders  this  morning,  but 
Corps  has  already  crossed  the  river,  and  by  the  sound  of 
the  artillery,  have  come  upon  the  Rebs  in  the  direction  of 
Culpepper.  This  may  not  be  more  than  a  reconnoissance 
to  find  out  where  they  are,  as  everything  has  been  very 
quiet  of  late  on  both  sides;  but  I  think  it  is  preparatory  to 
a  general  move.  We  received  news  last  night  that  Charles 
ton,  S.  C.,  was  taken.  I  hope  so,  but  hardly  think  it 
possible  so  soon.  We  lie  in  the  same  position  we  have  for 
a  month  back,  watching  the  Reb's  signal  fires  every  night. 
It  rained  yesterday  for  the  first  time  for  a  month.  I  was 
over  to  see  the  22d  which  lie  up  the  river  two  miles.  Geo. 
Harrington  is  back  having  gone  to  the  hospital  before  the 
battle  in  Pa.  He  had  the  misfortuneTto  have  a  wagon  run 
over  his  foot  in  Maryland.  My  old  tent  mate,  Ed.  Chandler, 
is  in  the  Invalid  Corps  at  Washington.  He  sends  me  a 
paper  every  now  and  then.  He  has  not  been  with  us  since 
last  fall  at  Sharpsburg.  You  will  soon  hear  from  J. 
Gleason. 

The  29th  of  Aug.,  I  was  present  at  the  execution  of  five 
privates  of  the  118th  Pa.  Vol.  It  was  a  very  solemn  affair; 
the  whole  Corps  were  present  to  witness  it.  They  were 
marched  from  the  guard  house  each  man  behind  his  own 
coffin,  the  whole  length  of  the  Corps,  the  band  playing  a 
funeral  note,  and  then  to  their  graves  which  already  were 
dug.  They  all  fell  dead  at  the  word  fire  and  were  soon 
under  the  sod,  a  warning  to  all  deserters. 

My  Regiment's  time  is  up  the  1st  of  Oct.,  1864.  The 
Battery's  time  is  up  the  middle  of  Sept.,  1864.  We  are 
attached  to  the  Pa.  Reserves,  better  known  as  the  Bucktail 
Rifles  3rd  Division  5  A.  C. 

Address  hereafter  Battery  C  1st  N.  Y.,  Artillery  Brigade 
5  A.  C.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  I  shall  get  all. 
From  your  brother, 

C.    M.   CUTLER. 
33 


BEALETON  STATION,  Va.,  Nov.  or  Dec.,  1863. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  received  Bell's  letter  last  night,  the  first  one  for  some 
time;  also,  one  from  Russell.  James  seems  to  have  so  much 
to  attend  to  that  he  can  not  do  much  else.  We  are 
making  ourselves  quite  comfortable  in  our  winter  quarters, 
with  plenty  to  eat  and  just  enough  to  do  to  make  us  feel 
well,  each  man  having  two  horses  to  water,  feed  and 
exercise.  Enlisting  over  again  is  all  the  go  here.  Over 
thirty  of  the  men  belonging  to  the  Battery  have  signed  their 
names  in  hopes  of  the  furlough,  the  big  bounty,  etc.;  but 
th«  afterclap  sticks  in  my  crop  (3  years  more)  and  as  yet,  I 
am  on  the  fence  preferring  to  serve  out  this  term  before 
getting  in  any  deeper;  but  may  change  my  mind;  as  I  think 
this  war  will  be  closed  by  next  fall.  . 

It  has  been  very  cold  for  the  last  few  days,  which  kept 
us  prett}7  well  engaged  in  keeping  the  fires  good.  There 
are  three  of  us  tent  together;  Bronson  Felt,  Joseph  Grey 
and  your  humble  servant.  The  last  named  and  myself 
indulge  in  six  blankets,  two  overcoats  for  a  bed.  Do  you 
not  envy  us  ?  Yesterday,  there  was  a  deserter  shot  belong 
ing  to  the  7th  Regular  Infantry.  It  was  in  sight  of  camp, 
but  I  did  not  go  to  see  it,  as  it  has  got  to  be  an  old  story. 

Bell  tells  me  you  are  donning  ray  coat,  etc.  1  can 
hardly  believe  that  you  can  have  grown  so.  I  am  about  the 
same  as  I  was  when  I  left  home,  and  shall  hardly  dare  to 
make  my  appearance  next  fall  if  you  continue  so.  Give  my 
love  to  Mother,  and  tell  her  I  am  glad  she  sold  that  wood. 
Tell  her  to  use  the  money  freely  to  make  herself  comfort 
able.  The  ration  of  candle  is  about  gone;  Brons  has  gone 
to  bed;  Joe  is  on  guard,  and  I  have  the  bed  to  make,  so 
goodby  for  this  time.  Send  me  a  Boston  Herald,  once  in  a 
while-  C.  M.  CUTLER. 

Address  5th  Army  Corps,  when  you  write,  as  this  Regi 
ment  of  Batteries  has  companies  in  every  corps. 


NEAR  RAPPAHANNOCK  STATION, 

Battery  C.,  1st  N.  Y.  Art'y.     Sunday,  Dec.  13.  18(53. 
Dear  Sister  Bell: 

I  received  yours  and  Fred's  letters,  also  Fred's  letter 
containing  the  auction  bill;  but  you  must  excuse  me  for  not 
writing  before,  as  we  have  been  very  busy  of  late  building 
winter  quarters.  We  have  not  got  them  half  done  yet,  as 
we  have  to  wait  for  each  other,  as  the  tools  are  very  scarce. 
We  have  got  the  logs  up  and  also  the  chimney,  which  has 

34 


been  a^week's  work,  but  begins  to  look  as  comfortable  as 
you  can  imagine  to  us  who  have  not  had  a  bed  twice  in  a 
place  since  last  April.  But  Uncle  Sam  is  going  to  give  us  a 
rest  by  present  appearances,  until  he  has  use  for  us  next 
spring. 

Since  I  last  wrote,  our  Battery  has  been  in  two  little 
brushes  with  the  Rebs.;  one  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
Rapidan,  and  the  other  at  Mine  Run.  We  sustained  no 
loss,  except  a  wheel  from  one  of  the  pieces,  which  was 
taken  off  by  a  shell  at  the  last  named  place.  We  expected 
a  big  engagment  at  this  place;  but  as  the  Rebs  did  not 
want  to  tight  on  fair  terms,  Meade  declined  fighting  them 
at  all.  On  Monday,  the  30th  of  November,  the  Artillery 
which  was  in  position  for  about  three  miles  in  front  of  the 
Rebs'  entrenched  works,  was  ordered  to  open  on  them  at 
8  A.M.  This  was  done  along  the  whole  line,  every  one  ex 
pecting  them  to  reply  in  good  earnest,  but  were  somewhat 
surprised  when  we  did  not  get  but  now  and  then  a  shot 
from  their  works,  which  were  of  great  strength  and  fairly 
shone  with  cannon.  This  was  kept  up  for  about  an  hour 
and  a  half,  when  orders  came  to  cease  firing.  They  were 
waiting  for  some  of  our  Infantry  to  come  out  so  they  could 
get  up  a  second  Fredericksburg  affair;  but  on  account  of 
the  cold  and  short  rations,  Meade  slipped  out  that  night. 
Our  horses  were  without  feed  three  days.  Quite  a  number 
of  them  died  of  starvation.  We  had  but  four  hardtack  a 
day.  The  Infantry  men  were  round  trying  to  buy  it,  offer 
ing  $5  a  dozen;  but  there  was  none  to  be  had.  But  every 
thing  is  forgotten  now;  we  are  getting  our  soft  tack  and 
fresh  beef  in  plenty,  and  everyone  is  getting  fat. 

Fred  says  in  his  last,  I  have  not  got  enough  of  soldier 
ing,  that  I  am  going  to  stop  in  the  Army  until  the  war  is 
over.  He  draws  a  wrong  conclusion  from  my  statement. 
As  soon  as  nine  months  more  roll  round,  if  I  am  all  right, 
L  shall  return  home.  If  I  come  in  the  Army  again,  it  will 
be  in  another  capacity  than  a  soldier. 

I  am  glad  Mother  concluded  to  sell  off  some  wood,  and 
hope  she  will  appropriate  some  of  the  proceeds  to  her  own 
use.  I  should  judge  by  the  figures  that  it  sold  very  high. 

Do  not  let  this  letter  go  out  of  the  house;  remember. 

C     M.    CUTLER. 


BRANDY  STATION,  Va.,  Apr.  20,  1864. 
Sister  Bell: 

I  received  your  letter  three  days  ago,  and  will  answer 
it  now  as  I  have  an  opportunity.     An  order  came  this  morn- 


35 


ing  that  we  could  not  send  any  mail  for  twenty  days  after 
today;  and  as  I  believe  I  am  behind  on  correspondence  with 
you,  I  will  just  let  you  know  that  I  am  well,  etc.  There  is 
very  little  to  write  about. 

We  broke  camp  yesterday  morning  and  crossed  the 
llappahannock.  All  the  army  seem  to  be  getting  ready  for 
a  move.  We  were  relieved  at  Bealetou  by  a  Mass.  Battery, 
who  expect  to  stop  there  this  summer  to  guard  the  railroad. 
It  was  not  our  luck  to  get  this  chance;  but  for  my  part  I'd 
rather  be  in  the  front  than  anywhere  else,  as  the  excitement 
and  moving  help  to  pass  away  time.  I  am  never  easy  unless 
I  am  where  the  noise  is  going  on.  We  are  now  stopping 
with  the  Reserve  Artillery,  and  are  not  assigned  to  any 
Corps.  There  are  some  twenty-five  batteries  in  this  corps 
subject  to  be  used  where  they  are  needed.  The  cars  are 
coming  in  here  every  hour  loaded  with  cattle,  hardtack  and 
pork,  which  is  a  petty  sure  sign  of  moving. 

You  must  excuse  me  for  closing  so,  but  it  sprinkles  and 
I  must  fix  the  tent  or  lie  in  the  water  to-night.  Give  my 
love  to  Mother  and  Fred  and  all  the  rest.  I  forgot  to  tell 
you  that  the  sutler  got  burned  out  the  night  before  we  left. 
His  loss  was  some  $9000  in  goods  and  $4000  in  greenbacks. 
No  insurance!  He  barely  escaped  with  his  life  which  was 
not  of  much  account.  Supposed  to  be  the  work  of  au 
incendiary. 

I  received  a  letter  from  S.  Gardner.  He  is  in  the  124th 
111.  Regiment,  Vicksburg. 

Glory  hallelujah! 

From  your  affectionate  brother, 

C.    M.    CUTLER. 

Address  Battery  C  1st  N.  Y.,  Artillery  Reserve. 


NEAR  PETERSBURG,  Va.,  June  21,  18l>4. 
Dear  Mother: 

I  think  I  will  write  you  a  few  lines  to  let  you  know  that 
Battery  C  is  all  right  and  that  your  humble  servant  is  the 
same.  We  are  in  the  fourth  line  of  entrenchments  that  we 
have  taken  from  the  Rebels,  and  can  see  the  steeples  oi 
Petersburg,  but  the  Lord  knows  when  we  shall  get  there. 
Our  Infantry  is  some  two  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  us 
behind  strong  earthworks,  and  keep  up  a  continuous  fir< 
day  and  night.  The  Reb's  line  is  but  three  hundred  yards 
from  our  Infantry;  so  you  can  see  we  are  all  in  pretty  close 
quarters  and  one  does  not  raise  his  head  for  sharpshooters. 
Last  Saturday  afternoon,  we  had  one  of  our  pieces  disabled 

36 


by  a  Eeb  shot,  but  since  then  there  has  been  very  little  to 
do  by  the  artille:;y,  as  the  sharpshooters  of  both  parties  keep 
us  under  cover.  The  22nd  Mass,  is  close  by.  They  have  lost 
very  heavy  since  the  campaign  commenced.  There  is  not  a 
Woburn  man  left  in  the  Co.,  and  but  one  non-commissioned 
officer.  Geo.  Harrington  is  all  right,  or  was  yesterday.  I 
was  glad  to  hear  that  you  had  sold  the  old  farm.  I  think  it 
sold  well.  Take  care  of  yourself.  I  have  got  to  close  as  we 
are  to  change  position.  There  is  heavy  musketry  firing  all 
along  the  lines.  9  o'clock  P.M. 

From  your  son, 

C.    M.    CUTLER. 


PETERSBURG,  Va.,  Aug  9,  1864. 
Dear  Brother  James: 

It  is  a  long  while  since  I  have  heard  anything  from  you 
or  from  any  one.  I  begin  to  think  you  have  got  to  be  a 
silent  member.  I  do  not  even  know  where  to  direct  a  letter, 
but  heard  someone  say  you  were  stopping  in  Somerville,  so 
to  be  close  to  somebody.  I  can  judge  who  without  much 
trouble.  How  are  you  making  it  ?  Pretty  well,  I  guess,  as 
I  do  not  hear  anything  of  your  having  the  war  fever.  I  am 
making  it  tip  top,  getting  plenty  of  travel,  promotion, 
medical  attendance,  clothing,  etc.,  etc.  My  time  will  ex 
pire  somewhere  previous  to  Thanksgiving.  I  shall  hardly 
know  myself  when  I  get  to  be  a  citizen  again. 

I  am  surprised  to  hear  that  Fred  had  enlisted.  I  am 
glad  that  he  is  in  for  no  longer,  and  that  he  has  no  harder 
chance  than  he  has.  He  wrote  me  and  wanted  I  should 
come  and  see  him,  as  he  was  sick.  Such  a  thing  is  imposs 
ible,  as  one  can  hardly  get  half  a  mile  to  the  rear  without 
some  general's  order.  I  guess  he  is  pretty  homesick,  hav 
ing  been  disappointed  in  a  soldier's  life.  I  can  draw  con 
clusions  from  experience,  but  there  is  about  as  much  use  in 
getting  homesick  as  there  is  in  trying  to  fly  without  wings. 
My  home  is  where  I  happen  to  be  and  have  my  shelter  tent 
pitched.  We  have  not  been  engaged  since  Saturday,  the 
30th  of  July,  a  memorable  day. 

The  Keb's  fort  went  heavenward  with  a  few  Johnnies 
in  their  shirt  tails,  as  we  caught  them  napping  so  early  in 
the  morning.  I  saw  the  thing  go  up.  It  seemed  that  there 
was  about  half  an  acre  of  ground  rising  some  fire  hundred 
feet  up,  enveloped  in  fire  and  smoke.  There  were  two  men, 
a  nigger  and  a  white  man,  blown  into  our  lines.  The  nigger 
was  yet  alive,  but  the  Johnnie  had  settled  his  account.  The 

37 


picket  firing  8till  goes  on.     I  have  not  any  more  to  say  this 
time.     Please  write  soon. 

It  is  none  of  my  business,  but  have  you  paid  for  your 
milk  route,  yet  ?  Let  me  know  your  business,  and  how  you 
are  situated  in  the  world.  I  shall  stand  on  my  head  pretty 
soon,  if  they  do  not  give  me  a  lead  pill  beforehand,  as  they 
did  a  tent  mate  of  mine,  J.  R.  Moore,  of  Co.  F  22d  Mass. 
He  was  a  brother  to  me.  I  bunked  two  years  with  him  in 
the  Regiment  and  agreed  to  travel  with  him  when  we  got 
out  of  this.  He  belonged  in  Illinois.  He  was  shot  on  the 
skirmish  line  through  the  heart.  He  had  never  been  away 
from  the  Regiment  a  day  and  had  never  got  a  scratch  before. 
So  ends  the  history  of  a  soldier.  It  is  rather  hard,  but  it 
is  but  one  instance  in  a  thousand  of  the  cases  occurring 
every  day,  in  the  splendid  charges  they  talk  about  in  the 
papers.  Write  as  soon  as  you  get  this. 

From  your  brother,  C.    M.    CUTLER. 


PETERSBURG,  Va.,  Aug.  1,  1864. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  received  your  letter  that  was  mailed  the  llth  of  July, 
on  the  27th.  It  was  waiting  some  time  for  me  at  the  Battery. 
I  being  at  City  Point  as  guard  on  some  wagons  we  sent 
there.  The  contents  somewhat  surprised  me,  above  all,  that 
Fred  had  enlisted.  I  am  glad  he  is  not  in  for  any  longer. 
I  received  a  letter  from  him  Saturday.  He  was  then  near 
Arlington  Heights  near  Washington,  and  was  sick.  He  will 
probably  be  sicker  before  he  gets  out  of  it,  but  his  term  is 
not  for  a  great  while.  For  the  last  three  weeks  our  Battery 
has  been  lying  to  the  rear  taking  things  easy.  Last  Friday 
night,  we  were  ordered  to  the  front  where  we  went.  The 
grand  thing  opened  Saturday  morning  about  daybreak. 
The  mines  that  have  been  so  long  building  were  sprung  and 
the  Reb.  forts  went  up.  They  were  somewhat  taken  by 
surprise,  as  our  Infantry  took  a  lot  of  them  in  their  shirt 
tails.  Saturday  was  a  lively  day.  Our  Infantry  took  one 
line  from  the  Rebs  but  could  not  hold  it.  Whether  Grant 
accomplished  what  he  attempted,  no  one  knows;  but  J 
should  judge  he  did  not.  We  were  ordered  back  to  our  old 
park  Sunday  morning.  The  lines  still  remain  the  same  they 
were  a  month  ago,  the  picket  and  artillery  firing  con 
tinuously. 

I  am  not  feeling  first  rate  myself.  There  is  scarcely 
anybody  that  does.  The  water  is  very  bad  around  here,  and 

38 


the  weather  is  so  hot  and  sultry  that  it  is  enough  to  kill 
most  anybody.  Hoping  this  will  find  you  all  well,  etc.,  I 
remain,  yours  affectionately, 

C.   M.    CUTLER. 


CITY  POINT,  Va.,  Sept.  23,  '64. 
Dear  Bell: 

I  received  your  letter  of  the  18th  this  morning.  I  had 
given  up  writing  any  more  until  I  came  home,  as  there  is  so 
very  little  of  importance  to  write  about.  But  on  getting  it, 
I  felt  in  duty  bound  to  write  a  few  lines  to  gratify  you  at 
home.  I  do  not  wonder  that  you  give  up  the  22nd  ever  com 
ing  home;  not  any  more  so  than  the  boys  themselves,  as  we 
have  been  promised  to  go  at  three  different  times  and  all 
have  passed.  We  are  getting  to  be  much  dissatisfied  with 
this,  but  await  our  time,  which  they  say  is  on  or  before  the 
8th  of  Oct.  Do  not  herald  this  to  too  great  an  extent,  as  we 
shall  not  be  able  to  stand  it.  There  are  but  seven  of  the 
Woburn  Co.  left  and  they  are  rather  weather-beaten;  so  do 
not  get  your  expectations  too  high.  Geo.  Harrington  and 
your  humble  servant  make  two  of  the  number. 

About  the  young  ladies  you  mention  in  your  letter.  Do 
not  anticipate  or  wish  any  gathering  on  my  account,  as  I'd 
rather  be  on  the  skirmish  line  in  a  good  smart  fight  than  be 
assailed  by  them.  I  wish  to  be  as  retired  as  possible  and 
go  my  way  rejoicing. 

I  was  very  sorry  to  hear  of  Aunt  Myra's  surprise  and 
capture  by  the  invaders  of  her  territory,  but  never  had  a 
very  magnanimous  opinion  of  the  efficiency  of  her  grandson 
or  of  the  holding  out  of  her  commissary  or  ordnance  dept. 
in  case  of  a  seige.  Gen.  Hartwell  should  be  relieved  of  his 
command  for  not  bringing  up  his  force  in  time.  It  is  a  very 
heavy  loss  to  the  country  and  will  have  something  to  do  with 
the  coming  election.  Mr.  Harker  shall  be  relieved,  as  I  am 
a  Lincoln  man  and  do  not  tolerate  his  sentiments. 

C.    M.  C. 

P.  S.— Tell  Fred  to  stop  in  hospital  and  I  will  call  and 
see  him. 


39 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


»OT   14  593*     « 

^TERtlBRARY  LOAN 

W'G  05  1991 

uu'      [5    ;^vM 

<j~  i  ) 

W        f\f      OLJL+t^            „.   . 

v  r/11      -""pv 

CIBRARY  USE 

NOV  2  6  1961 

wov 

INTERLJflRAnv  i  rutt 

f  »«  i  8  1991 

UNIV.  OF  CALIF  BERI 

1 

LD  21-95m-7,'37 

RETURN  TO  the  circulation  desk  of  any 
University  of  California  Library 

or  to  the 

NORTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
Bldg.400,  Richmond  Field  Station 
University  of  California 
Richmond,  CA  94804-4698 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

•  2-month  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling 
(510)642-6753 

•  1-year  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing 
books  to  NRLF 

•  Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4 
days  prior  to  due  date. 

cr  DUE  AS ,STAMPED  BELOW 

XL 

APR  2  0  1999 

U.  C.  BERKELEY 


1 2,000  ( 11/95) 


